After Simon Cowell returned to his role on the program after an accident the previous year,[2] the Judges Cuts round was replaced by him with a new deliberation format arrangement similar to that used in Britain's Got Talent.

[5] The sixteenth season was won by magician Dustin Tavella, with aerialist Aidan Bryant finishing second, and stand-up comedian Josh Blue placing third.

[3] The Judge Cuts round, which had been significantly modified in the previous season due to the disruption of production,[3] was replaced by the deliberation format used by Britain's Got Talent.

[11][12] With restrictions eased in California effective June 15,[13] the live rounds returned to their usual home of the Dolby Theatre, but with audience members required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and wear masks.

[4] Although this would have meant six guaranteed places in the quarter-finals, singer Nightbirde later withdrew from the competition to focus on her battle with cancer, despite receiving a Golden Buzzer.