Following the previous season, Sharon Osbourne left the program following a dispute with the network, leading to Mel B replacing her.
The eighth season was won by mime dancer Kenichi Ebina, the first foreign act to win the American competition.
[2] Open auditions were held between January and February in Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Birmingham (Alabama), Memphis, Nashville, Savannah, Raleigh, Norfolk and Columbus.
Judges could only select one eliminated quarter-finalist each as their Wildcard act, but their choice would be granted an automatic place in the semi-finals as a result.
About twenty of these advanced and were split between the two semi-finals, including three quarter-finalists chosen as Wildcard acts, along with the last-minute addition that had previously withdrew before the live rounds.