Since 2006, NBC’s "America’s Got Talent" has elevated the elementary school talent show format to the highest degree. It’s brought viewers NFL players-turned-magicians and 12-year-old superstar singers and dogs that can sing (kind of).
While other shows like "The Voice" or "American Idol" have focused only on finding talented singers, "AGT" is open to just about anything. Virtual reality dance show? Check. Chicken that can play the piano? Yep. Death-defying escape stunts? Mhm.
There’s also no set age limit, so children and the elderly alike can all show off their skills. In this sense, the show stays entertaining from week to week because you truly never know what you’re going to see next.
As with any show that’s been on the air for over a decade and now in its 13th season, a lot has changed for "AGT." Season 1 looked very different, and there are behind the scenes secrets that casual viewers may not realize about this show.
Here are 13 surprising facts about "America’s Got Talent" that every fan needs to know.
SEE ALSO: 10 surprising things you didn't know about 'The Amazing Race'
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None of the current judges are actually from America.
It may be called "America’s Got Talent,” but the judges are from all over the world, according to Mirror. Howie Mandel hails from Canada, Heidi Klum is from Germany, and Mel B. and Simon Cowell are from the UK.
You used to be able to audition via MySpace.
When the social media platform was still big, "AGT" hopefuls could just record a video and post it to MySpace to try to land a spot on the show, according to Mashable. You can still submit video entries these days, but the site has nothing to do with it.
The million dollar prize is paid out over a whopping 40 years.
Contestants may think they’re instantly changing their lives when they win, but Forbes reported that the million dollar sum is paid out in taxed $25,000 installments over 40 years. You definitely can’t quit your day job on that. If you opt for the lump sum, it works out to around $300,000.
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