- 1
Los Angeles Auditions
The talent contest opens its fifth season with open auditions in Los Angeles.
- 2
Dallas Auditions
Open auditions are held in Dallas.
- 3
New York Auditions Day 1
Season 5's open auditions continue.
- 4
New York Auditions Day 2
Preliminary auditions continue.
- 5
Orlando Auditions Day 1
Open auditions continue.
- 6
Orlando Auditions Day 2
Open auditions continue.
- 7
Portland Auditions Day 1
Disparate acts are featured in continuing preliminary auditions.
- 8
Portland Auditions Day 2
Preliminary auditions continue.
- 9
Chicago Auditions
Season 5's preliminary auditions continue.
- 10
Final Auditions
Auditions continue.
- 11
Las Vegas Week - Day 1
Contestants perform for the judges in Las Vegas in hopes of making it into the top 48.
- 12
Las Vegas Week - Day 2
The stress spikes when judges Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and Piers Morgan deliberate over which acts to select for a spot in the Top 48.
- 13
HOLLYWOOD, Part 1
Performance showcases in Los Angeles kick off with 12 acts from the Top 48 taking the stage.
- 14
Result Show #1
Four winning acts are selected for the sought-after Top 24 in a results edition.
- 15
HOLLYWOOD, Part 2
Twelve acts from the Top 48 showcase their talents in the second week of performance shows.
- 16
Result Show #2
Four acts advance to the Top 24 in a results installment. Cirque du Soleil perform the show "Kà," and the rock band Train sing "Hey, Soul Sister."
- 17
HOLLYWOOD, Part 3
Twelve acts perform in the third week of showcases.
- 18
Result Show #3
Four acts win a slot in the Top 24 in a results show. Singer-songwriter Mike Posner and hip-hop dance troupe JabbaWockeeZ perform.
- 19
HOLLYWOOD, Part 4
Twelve acts from the Top 48 take the stage in the fourth week of performance showcases.
- 20
Result Show #4
Four acts advance to the Top 24 in a results edition. Rocker Bret Michaels and British singer-songwriter Taio Cruz perform.
- 21
HOLLYWOOD, Part 5
Twelve acts from YouTube perform in Hollywood.
- 22
Result Show #5
Four acts from YouTube advance to the semifinal round.
- 23
Wild Card Show
Twelve previously eliminated acts return to the contest and perform in a wild-card round.
- 24
Wild Card Show - Results
Four wild-card acts advance to the semifinal round. Country songstress LeAnn Rimes and illusionist Criss Angel perform.
- 25
Semi-Final #1
The semifinal round begins with 12 acts performing in a bid to break into the Top 10.
- 26
Semi-Final #1 - Results
Five semifinal contestants win a position in the Top 10 in a results show. Jimmy Fallon and singer Kylie Minogue perform.
- 27
Semi-Final #2
The semifinal round continues with 12 acts performing.
- 28
Semi-Final #2 - Results
Five winning acts advance to the Top 10.
- 29
Top Ten - Performances
The Top 10 acts perform in Hollywood in their quest to win a sought-after position in the final four. Enrique Iglesias performs "I Like It."
- 30
Top Ten - Results
The final four acts are revealed. Sarah McLachlan sings "Forgiveness" and the cast of the stage show "American Idiot" performs.
- 31
THE FINAL
In Season 5's penultimate episode, the remaining four acts perform in Hollywood for the final time.
- 32
The Winner Is...
The winning act is revealed in the Season 5 finale, which features performances by an array of Las Vegas and Hollywood stars.