Darci Lynne Farmer has emerged winner of America’s Got Talent 2017 competition.
Farmer beat out nine other finalists including singers Kechi
Okwuchi, Evie Clair, Angelica Hale, Chase Goehring, Mandy Harvey,
Preacher Lawson, dog trainer Sara & Hero, dance troupes Light
Balance and Diavolo to win the coveted prize.
Host of the show Tyra Banks announced the 12-year-old as the champion
of season 12 after 52 million votes were cast, making her the
second ventriloquist to win the NBC reality competition show.
Farmer, who burst into tears, hugging her rabbit puppet Petunia as
her two brothers rushed onstage to congratulate her, is the third female
act to win America’s Got Talent in 12 seasons.
Simon Cowell had predicted her win during the first night of the live
finals on Tuesday when she performed The Beatles’ “With a Little Help
from My Friends” with Petunia and shy mouse Oscar.
The impressed judge of the show had said, “I think you’re gonna win”.
Farmer also went away with $1 million and a headlining gig at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas from September 3-4.
Although she didn’t win, for Kechi Okwuchi, it was still a dream come true.
The AGT finalist, who was one of the first performances featured in
the Season 12 finale, did a vocal trio with Grammy-winning artist Kelly
Clarkson and fellow contestant Angelica Hale, and for her, that was
enough.
“My expectations, all my expectations, have been exceeded. It’s just
been an amazing journey. I’m just so happy I made it to the
finish!” Okwuchi said.
The plane crash survivor, whose story resonated with many throughout
the show, left her mark on the hearts of viewers and judges.