And the first-everAmerica’s Got Talent: The Championswinner is …Shin Lim!
Fresh offwinning season 13 ofAGT, the 27-year-old magician was crowned best in the world. Lim makes history as the first contestant to win twoGot Talentfranchises in consecutive order.
“It’s crazy, to be honest. I still have to pinch myself. First winningAGTwas crazy to me, but winningChampionswas even more crazy. It’s very overwhelming and super exciting,” Lim tells PEOPLE.
Also making it to the top 5 were Preacher Lawson (fifth place), Cristina Ramos (fourth place), Kseniya Simonova (third place) andDarci Lynne Farmer, who was named the runner-up.
Vivian Zink/NBC
Just five months ago, viewers watched Lim’s dreams come true when he was named the season 13 winner. Reflecting on his “crazy” trajectory, Lim says winningChampionswas “almost like déjà vu.”
The star adds, “Because they were shot so close to each other, it felt like I was reliving the process all over again. All the stress fromAGTand thenChampions, I feel so relieved it’s all over.”
People may be surprised to learn that Lim initially declined to be onChampions.
“I’m glad I didn’t and decided to go for it,” Lim says, laughing. “I initially turnedChampionsdown because I wanted to do new stuff, I didn’t want to do repeat acts. But I decided to do it and see what happens. I thought, ‘When am I going to have a chance to do this? All the winners compete against each other, this is such a rare opportunity.’ To be part of it is an honor.”
Even more surprising is the fact that he didn’t even want to compete on season 13 at all.
“Casey convinced me to doAGTbecause, at first, I wasn’t going to do it. I owe it all to her,” Lim says. “She helped me so much throughout season 13, she really did help me. I owe everything toAGT. I’m pretty much anAGTfan forever now.”
Once the whirlwind elation of his back-to-back wins wears off, Lim will be taking some time off for his August wedding.
“We’re definitely way behind in terms of getting stuff ready for it because we’ve been so busy. But we’ve been trying to pick the flowers and the food menu,” he says.
In addition, he’s gearing up for his future gigs and working on elements of his shows that have room for improvement, including the “showmanship part of it, the storytelling and making the show bigger.”
Lim adds, “I’m trying to focus more on that for my solo shows. Everything is just close up with cards, and people like that, but you need some variety.”
WhenAGTseason 14 premieres this summer, the judges panel will look a lot different.
ActressesJulianne HoughandGabrielle Unionwill be replacingMel B andHeidi Klum.ChampionshostTerry Crewswill also be replacing emcee Tyra Banks. Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel are set to return.
“I’m actually very happy that they’re having him as a host,” Lim tells PEOPLE of Crews. “He’s super nice, professional, funny and a great guy overall.”
Lim adds, “It’s going to be unfortunate seeing Heidi and Mel go. I’m sure [Hough and Union] will be great.”
source: people.com
