<P> Season twelve of the reality competition series America's Got Talent was ordered on August 2, 2016 and premiered on NBC on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 . Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell returned as judges for their respective eighth, fifth, fifth and second seasons . Supermodel and businesswoman Tyra Banks replaced Nick Cannon, who hosted the show for eight seasons, making her the first female host of the show . The live shows returned to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles beginning August 15, 2017 . </P> <P> The format of the show was the same as in season eleven, and Dunkin Donuts sponsors the show for a third consecutive season . A guest judge joined the panel for each episode of the Judge Cuts round: Chris Hardwick, DJ Khaled, Laverne Cox and Seal . </P> <P> Darci Lynne Farmer was named the winner on the season finale, September 20, 2017 . She was the third ventriloquist, third child and third female to win a season of America's Got Talent. 10 - year - old singer Angelica Hale placed second, and glow light dance troupe Light Balance came in third . Farmer won the show's prize of $1 million and a headlining performance in Las Vegas . </P> <P> On October 4, 2016, Simon Cowell signed a contract to remain as a judge through 2019 . </P>

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