Atkins falls short of AGT finale; fans vote him into top 5

Lewiston’s “Singing Soldier” Isaac Atkins Earns Top‑Five Finish on America’s Got Talent, but Will Not Reach the Finale

Lewiston, Maine – The Army sergeant and former TikTok sensation, known to fans as the “Singing Soldier,” saw his journey on America’s Got Talent end this week when he finished in the top five of the live quarter‑finals but did not advance to the show’s final round.

Atkins, 24, performed the stirring blues‑rock ballad “Way Down We Go” by Kaleo during Tuesday’s episode of the season’s live shows. His rendition earned him a place among the season’s five finalists, but a single vote short of the cutoff kept him from the grand finale slated for next week in Pasadena, California.

“I’m disappointed, but life goes on,” Atkins told the Sun Journal after the Wednesday results broadcast. “It’s nice to get a compliment from someone like that, someone who was successful in the music industry.” He added that he was “very anxiety‑inducing” when Terry Crews called him up for the live results, but that the experience was ultimately uplifting.

During the same results show, former Spice Girl Mel B praised Atkins’ voice, remarking, “America got it right. Your voice is musical.” B had earlier given Atkins a Golden Buzzer in the audition round, a gesture that set the stage for his rise to the quarter‑finals. The judge’s comment came after B had observed the young singer’s performance from the studio’s “hot‑seat” seating.

The quarter‑finals results also confirmed the advancement of several other acts to the finale. The dog‑trained troupe Acro Canine Crew, magician Kameron Marshall, and comedian Daniel Alvarez were all among the five that will appear in the final episode. In addition, 14‑year‑old singer Lai Noelle received a Golden Buzzer from Kenan Thompson—who is substituting for regular judge Simon Cowell—granting her automatic passage to the finals.

“Atkins talked about how close all the contestants were,” the Sun Journal reported. “They all stayed at a hotel that was connected to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. He became close with Kameron Marshall, calling him a great guy and talking about how successful he’s going to be as a magician, regardless of where he finishes on AGT.” He also mentioned a friendship with singer Pynk Beard and his band, whom he described as “a great group of guys.”

The singer reflected on his time in Pasadena, saying, “My favorite moment was gathering with some contestants and members of America’s Got Talent and singing late at night. You could just see everyone’s passion. Everyone was on this show for a reason, and whether they didn’t make it to the semifinals or not, is going to be successful in their careers.”

Atkins’ journey began two years ago when he started posting cover videos on TikTok. “I’ve come a long way since then,” he said. “I’m glad I got the exposure. It’s one of the best ways to get acclimated in front of a crowd as I look forward to continuing this journey of pursuing music.”

After the results, the singer said he would “go back to work.” He will return to Wahiawa, Hawaii, to fulfill his duties as an Army sergeant on active duty, where he has been stationed since 2022.

Despite the setback, Atkins expressed optimism for the future. “Everyone will be successful in their careers,” he said. “I just have to keep singing.”

The America’s Got Talent finale will air next week in Pasadena, featuring the five finalists who made it past the quarter‑finals, with the winner earning a cash prize and a professional recording contract.