America's Got Talent: The Champions crowned Shin Lim the ultimate champion over runner-up Darci Lynne Farmer during Monday night's finale broadcast on NBC.
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Shin was "speechless" following his victory announcement and advised fans to "follow your dreams."
"If you told me back when I was 16, learning magic tricks and dressed in my white suit and bowl cut, that I would one day be the winner of America's Got Talent, I would not have believed you at all. It was just life changing and incredible," Shin said in a video package that played before host Terry Crews revealed the winner.
"I wanted to be part of The Champions because when else am I going to get such an amazing opportunity to test myself alongside such world-class talent? But it was also quite daunting because everyone else here is so phenomenal. I am so grateful right now to be here; it means the world to me."
Shin was named the Season 13 winner of America's Got Talent, and he's currently the reigning world FISM -- the International Federation of Magic Societies -- champion for close-up magic.
"Combining dexterity, precision and grace, he has distilled a lifetime of training into a devious display of dancing digits. His mind-blowing finger moves are so masterful that the audience is left to wonder if what their eyes have seen is truly possible," according to NBC.
Darci Lynne, a singing ventriloquist who won Season 12 of America's Got Talent in 2017, finished the competition -- which had featured a total of 50 acts throughout the season -- in second place.
At 12 years old, Darci won America's Got Talent. Following her big win, the Oklahoma native has been featured on NBC's Little Big Shots, Food Network's Kids Baking Championship, Ellen, and Today. Her first Christmas special, Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas, also aired on NBC in December.
"It's crazy to think that two years ago, I was walking onto the AGT stage for the very first time. I had just started ventriloquism and I was super shy... When I got voted off [The Champions spinoff] I was really disappointed, so getting the Wild Card and being here, I [wanted] this to be the greatest comeback ever," Darci said in a video package.
"It was amazing to be the winner of Season 12, but my dream now is to take my ventriloquism all over the world... The sky is the limit!"
America's Got Talent: The Champions highlighted some of the most talented acts from previous seasons of NBC's show as well as memorable, popular or wacky acts from international editions that span 184 countries -- including past winners and finalists.
The Champions spinoff also featured competitors from Spain's Got Talent, Britain's Got Talent, Australia's Got Talent, Russia's Got Talent, Ukraine's Got Talent, South Africa's Got Talent, Denmark's Got Talent, Belgium's Got Talent, and Holland's Got Talent.
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Simon Cowell, Melanie "Mel B" Brown, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel served on the judging panel for The Champions spinoff.
Kseniya Simonova, a sand animation artist who won Ukraine's Got Talent in 2009, placed third on The Champions spinoff Monday night.
Competing on America's Got Talent: The Champions marked the first time Kseniya ever stepped foot onto United States soil.
"I'm very thankful to the judges. I'm very thankful to the audience and to America, and to you, Terry. Thank you," Kseniya said, referencing how she had been Terry's "Golden Buzzer" recipient.
Cristina Ramos Perez, an opera rock singer who won Spain's Got Talent in 2016, claimed fourth place.
Cristina is a singer from Las Palmas, Spain known for her performance style and one-of-a-kind musical arrangements, simultaneously comprising various genres such as opera, rock, funk, disco, and Boleros.
"I really love this show. I really love this place, the stage. I really love the audience. I'm so proud to be here, thank you," Cristina said after her fate was announced.
Preacher Lawson, a comedian who finished as a finalist on America's Got Talent in 2017, finished in fifth place.
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"This has meant the world to me. Y'all changed my life. I don't feel like I lost at all man, being up here with all these people. I appreciate you all," Preacher said on his way out.
Last week, the Top 12 acts took the stage in the hope of being crowned "best in the world" on America's Got Talent: The Champions.
Acts who made the Top 12 but did not finish in the Top 5 were Angelica Hale, an 11-year-old singer who finished as a finalist on Season 12 of AGT in 2017; Paul Potts, an opera singer who won Season 1 of Britain's Got Talent in 2007; Brian Justin Crum, a singer who finished as a finalist on AGT in 2016; and Kechi, a singer who finished as a finalist on Season 12 of AGT in 2017.
The rest of the acts who rounded out the Top 12 were Susan Boyle, a singer who finished as the runner-up of Britain's Got Talent in 2009; Jon Dorenbos, a magician who finished as a finalist on Season 11 of AGT in 2016; and Deadly Games, a dangerous knife-throwing duo also known as Alfredo Silva and Anna Silva who made it to the semifinals on Season 11 of AGT in 2016.
When America's Got Talent returns to NBC this summer with its fourteenth season, actress and producer Gabrielle Union and former Dancing with the Stars pro Julianne Hough will serve on the judging panel with Simon and Howie.
Julianne and Gabrielle are replacing Heidi Klum and Melanie "Mel B" Brown.
The competition will also be hosted by Terry, who will take over for former America's Got Talent host Tyra Banks.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
