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Evancho, Boyle, Grimm, Bennett, Latifah, Def Leppard on America's Got Talent

By April MacIntyre Aug 25, 2011, 16:49 GMT

Performer Jackie Evancho walks the red carpet EPA/ROY DABNER

NBC is blowing the doors off guest celebrity bookings for the finale of 'America's Got Talent."

Today the network announced a wide spectrum of popular guest musical and variety acts and exclusive performances that will appear on the show leading up to the live finale on September 14 (8-10 p.m. ET).

The guest performers include Tony Bennett with Queen Latifah, Susan Boyle, Season 5 Winner Michael Grimm, Season 5 Finalist Jackie Evancho, Il Divo, David Guetta with Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, Def Leppard and Cirque du Soleil “Iris.”

The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

The dates for each guest performer heating up the “America’s Got Talent” stage follow:

August 31 – An exclusive performance by David Guetta with Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida of “Where Them Girls At” and Susan Boyle performs “You Have to Be There.”

September 6 – Michael Grimm performs “Stay with Me Baby.”

September 7 – Il Divo performs “Wicked Game” and Def Leppard performs “Rock of Ages – Pour Some Sugar on Me”

September 14 – Jackie Evancho performs “Nessun Dorma,” an exclusive performance from Tony Bennett and Queen Latifah of “Who Can I Turn To,” as well as an exclusive primetime premiere performance by Cirque du Soleil “Iris.”

Guetta -- one of the most in-demand producers, multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning recording artist, and the world’s reigning #1 deejay -- is set to release his much-awaited fifth album ‘Nothing But the Beat’ on August 29 through Capitol Records. It features the summer smash “Where Them Girls At” with Minaj and Flo Rida and also includes vocals from artists such as Akon, Chris Brown, Dev, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Sia, Snoop Dogg, Taio Cruz, Timbaland, Usher and Will.i.am.

Global phenomenon Boyle has gone on to sell over 14 million albums worldwide over the course of the last 14 months. She is currently working on her third studio album for release this fall.

Last season’s “America’s Got Talent” winner, Mississippi-bred Grimm signed to Epic Records, who released his major-label self-titled debut album this past spring. He is currently on tour opening for Stevie Nicks.

Il Divo is currently working on their new album to be released this fall.

Def Leppard continue to sell out arenas worldwide.

Evancho, the 11-year-old soprano prodigy who auditioned for the series through YouTube, recently released her debut album “Dream with Me,” which was certified gold after only four weeks of release. Evancho is currently on a sold-out U.S. tour and Syco/Columbia Records will release the DVD of “Dream with Me Live -- Great Performances PBS Special" on September 13.

American icon Bennett is in his seventh decade as a recording artist with over 100 albums and 15 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Bennett has earned his legendary status many times over.

Now in its sixth season, “America's Got Talent” airs Tuesdays (9-11 p.m. ET) and Wednesdays (9-10 p.m. ET) on NBC. Howie Mandel, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne star as the celebrity panel of judges, and Nick Cannon serves as host.