'AGT' 's Gabrielle Union & Julianne Hough Reflect on Which Acts Have Inspired Them This Season

The season finale ofAmerica’s Got Talentis here! As judgesGabrielle UnionandJulianne Houghwrap up their inaugural seasons on the NBC competition series, the ladies reflect on season 14 before one contestant is crowned champion. “What I’ve learned about being a part of this show is the fact that talent is ageless, genderless and it’s for everyone,” says Hough, 31, adding that the show is “so inclusive and allows people to be fully expressed.

'AGT' 's Gabrielle Union 'Strongly' Suggests Semifinalists 'Idiot-Proof' Their Acts to Succeed

Gabrielle Unionis heading into her first round ofAmerica’s Got Talentsemifinals — and she’s encouraging contestants to bring it on.The actress, who is enjoying her first time as a judge on the NBC series, wants to see acts level up in the next stage of the competition as the stakes are higher to win the $1 million prize and Las Vegas headlining gigs.Applauding 10-year-old opera singer Emanne Beasha on her quarterfinals performance, Union tells PEOPLE: “She left a big impression.

'AGT' 's Golden Buzzer Winner Kechi Okwuchi 'Really Defines What a Champion Is,' Simon Cowell Says

Not only is she a survivor and an inspiration to many, butKechi Okwuchiis also a well-deserved Golden Buzzer winner onAmerica’s Got Talent: The Champions.The 28-year-old singer from Houston, Texas, was a finalist on 2017’s season 12. And on Monday night’s episode ofChampions, she wowed audiences with her powerful rendition of Calum Scott’s “You Are The Reason” as judgeSimon Cowellgave her the coveted button to advance her to the finals.“Her story really resonated.

'AGT' 's Heidi Klum Raves About Her 'Exciting' Golden Buzzer Winner: 'This Act Just Blew Me Away!'

Photo: Art Streiber/NBC Heidi Klumhas given out her season 16 Golden Buzzer onAmerica’s Got Talent! On Tuesday, the longtime judge, 48, pushed the coveted button for Lea Kyle, the 25-year-old French beautician and quick change artist who was “excited” to meet “queen of fashion” Klum — who later described Kyle’s audition as “real magic” and “absolutely incredible, flawless.” Recalling her initial reaction to watching Kyle’s audition, Klum tells PEOPLE why she felt compelled to send the contestant straight to the live shows.

'AGT' 's Howie Mandel Raves About 'Perfect' Golden Buzzer-Winning Choir of Frontline Nurses: 'In Awe'

Photo: Art Streiber/NBC America’s Got Talentjudge Howie Mandel gave a deserving group of singing nurses his Golden Buzzer. Speaking with PEOPLE about his reaction to the 18 choir members' performance, Mandel looks back on the “heroes” of 2020 belting out a song with so much meaning and relevance after an unprecedented year due to COVID-19. “Because of what we’ve gone through — and I mean the collective, everybody in the world — when you’re traumatized, it makes you more emotional and I think as a planet, we’ve been traumatized and the reason that it’s not totally devastating was because of [the nurses],” he says.