The 2 most recent winners of “America’s Got Talent”—Darci Lynne Farmer, a 14-year-old vocalist and ventriloquist from Oklahoma City, and Shin Lim, a close-up magic illusionist—were the two acts competing in the “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” finale.
In the end, they were won over by Lim’s captivating close-up card trick, but Darci Lynne Farmer’s performance was unforgettable thanks to her endearing senior puppet, “Edna,” who also seems to be in love with Simon Cowell, as you are about to see.
Fifty contestants from franchises around the world competed on the Champions spin-off, including Got Talent superstars Susan Boyle and Paul Potts. The final 12 were chosen for the two-hour finale.
Darci had previously been eliminated from the competition, but she returned after being given a “wild card” contestant—basically, a merit-based free ticket to the finals. To everyone’s amazement, the internet phenomenon Susan Boyle, who performed the song she selected for her debut audition on “Britain’s Got Talent” ten years prior, was not selected.
After been eliminated earlier and being saved by the wild card, Darci acknowledged that it was amazing she had even advanced that far. She declared, “I want this to be the greatest comeback ever. I got the wild card.
Along with her puppet Edna and Rowlf the Dog from the Muppets, Darci—whom presenter Terry Crews called “one of the most extraordinary performers in the history of the show”—performed.
Her senior puppet grumbled that Simon hadn’t called, which prompted the Carpenters’ Can’t Smile Without You to be performed. At the conclusion, Simon approached Edna and kissed her before saying, “I actually love you. And I apologize for not calling. Darci’s Edna exclaimed, “He makes my heart flutter,” in response. I cherish you, Simon! Then she passed out. How hilarious!
Watch the video below, and pay close attention to Darci. Watch how she switches between her voice and Edna’s while switching between songs and conversations with Rowlf. That’s either the result of countless hours of practice or a professional prodigy’s skills.