Oklahoman Darci Lynne Farmer to debut on 'AGT: Fantasy League,' but this time with a twist

In many ways, multi-talented Oklahoman Darci Lynne has measured her life by the time she's spent on the stage of "America's Got Talent."

And the Oklahoma City singer, songwriter and ventriloquist knows she's not the only one who looks at her life that way.

"After I won, they asked me to come back every year after to guest-perform ... and so I come back every year on the show and see everybody that was there when I was 12. So, I measure my life like, 'Oh, I got my license this year, and then I went on 'AGT,'" she told The Oklahoman in a Friday Zoom interview.

"I was really thankful for the opportunity to go on and show people who I am now, just because I think people have frozen me at 12. So, I'm trying to kind of break out of that."

Now 19, the OKC performer, who was 12 years old when she won the 12th season of "America's Got Talent" in 2017, will have her debut performance on NBC's new spin-off series "America's Got Talent: Fantasy League" featured on the Monday, Jan. 22, episode.

Darci Lynne — whose full name is Darci Lynne Farmer — is among the 40 acts from across the global "AGT" franchise competing on the new reality competition series. "AGT: Fantasy League" airs at 7 p.m. Mondays on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.

"I definitely still get nervous. I mean, I remember when I was 12, I about puked every time I went on the show and on the stage. So, it's still the same: I still get crazy nervous," Darci Lynne said with a grin.

"But in a way, it's like a second home, because it's just been so long."

How does the new spin-off series 'America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League' work?

Darci Lynne will be featured Monday, Jan. 22, on the fourth and final qualifiers round of "AGT: Fantasy League," which premiered New Year's Day on NBC.

Hosted by Terry Crews, the spin-off features Spice Girls singer-songwriter Mel B returning to the franchise as a judge, alongside executive producer Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel. The new series features past "AGT" winners like Darci Lynne, along with finalists, viral sensations and fan favorites from “America’s Got Talent” and “Got Talent” shows from around the world.

Similar to a fantasy sports draft, the judges on "America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League" are each choosing a roster of their favorite acts. The judges are each filling their fantasy teams with 10 acts, from singers, dancers and ventriloquists to comedians, aerialists and magicians.

For the first time in "AGT" history, the judges are competing alongside the contestants, guiding the acts throughout the competition with the hopes of earning bragging rights and seeing an act from their team crowned the champion of “AGT: Fantasy League.” The winning act will receive a grand prize of $250,000. 

The Golden Buzzer — which Darci Lynne famously earned on her way to becoming an "AGT" champion — is back for the qualifier and semifinal rounds, sending acts straight to the finals. But this time, there's a twist: Each judge can use their coveted Golden Buzzer for their own act, or to take an act from another judges’ team.

On "AGT: Fantasy League," the studio audience votes each week to determine which acts will advance to the semifinal and final rounds.

Darci Lynne promises a twist with her debut 'AGT: Fantasy League' performance

It's not the first time Darci Lynne has competed in an "AGT" spin-off: In 2019, the Sooner State native finished in second place on "America's Got Talent: The Champions."

But she said "Fantasy League" has a much different format than the previous times she competed on the "AGT" stage.

"Especially with the new structure and being on a judge's team, it's all really exciting," said Darci Lynne, who is competing on Team Heidi on the new spin-off.

"When I was on it when I was 12, we'd perform Tuesday night, and then Wednesday night would be the results show. You'd have to wait a whole day to find out whether or not you went through. And now, you find out in the same night: You perform, and then you find out. So, that's weird. That was crazy for me, because I was like, 'Whoa, this is happening so fast.'"

The 2023 Deer Creek High School graduate said she again shares the stage with her puppet rabbit Petunia in her "AGT: Fantasy League" debut, but she teased an unexpected turn in her first performance on the new show.

"There's a twist, and I don't think anyone was expecting it. So, I was really nervous for the first round, especially," she told The Oklahoman.

"It was nerve-racking, because I'm just doing something different. That's all I can say."

'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT: FANTASY LEAGUE'

"America's Got Talent: Fantasy League" airs at 7 p.m. Mondays on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock. Oklahoma City singer, songwriter and ventriloquist Darci Lynne will have her debut performance on NBC's new spin-off series featured on the Monday, Jan. 22, episode.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC's Darci Lynne returns to 'America's Got Talent' on 'Fantasy League'