And America’s next top talent is… Oops, wrong iconic Tyra Banks’ line, but the host did help crown a winner during tonight’s finale of ‘America’s Got Talent’, which had 10 finalists vying for the season 12 crown: Evie Clair, Darci Lynne Farmer, Chase Goehring, Angelica Hale, Mandy Harvey, Preacher Lawson, Kechi Okwuchi, Diavolo, Light Balance and Sarah and Hero. So which act won the NBC reality series? Drumroll please. After thousands and thousands of votes, congratulations are in order for Darci Lynne Farmer! The child ventriloquist, who earned singer-songwriter Mel B’s “Golden Buzzer” this season, continuously wowed audiences and the judges with her skills. While she only started developing her act two years ago, fans would have had no idea when she took to the stage on Tuesday. “This is what I think about you, Darci. When you can appeal to all ages is what you’ve done but this is what I believe,” reality TV judge and producer Simon Cowell explained. “The best part of doing this job is when you are there and you can say I was there at the beginning of someone’s career and I witnessed a star. Tonight, again, I’ve just witnessed a star emerge because that’s what you are. You are special, incredible, funny, talented. I think you’re going to win.” And sure enough, he was totally right. Darci Lynne Farmer, who walked away with a $1 million prize, is already a winner on YouTube notching over 1.5 million viewers. Safe to say this is only the beginning. Published in Daily Times, September 27th 2017.