Probably to the surprise of no one, Forte, a male opera-singing trio that features Saline resident and U-M grad Sean Panikkar, has survived the semi-final round of "America's Got Talent," and the group will be one of 12 acts competing (on September 10) for a spot in the show's finals (scheduled to air September 17).

The announcement regarding Forte's success came during the AGT episode that aired Wednesday, August 28. During the show, AGT judge Howie Mandel said of Forte, after the group learned it would advance, "I'm going to predict right now, I think these guys are going to win this entire competition."

Votes from viewers - earned after Forte's lauded performance of "Unchained Melody" on Monday night's episode - got the trio through the semi-finals, along with youth dance/gymnastics team Innovative Force; magician Collins Key; comedian Taylor Williamson; and singer Cami Bradley. Multimedia dance troupe Catapult earned a spot by virtue of the judges' vote.

Contestants sent home were rapper Tone the Chiefrocca; acrobat Red Panda; singer Jonathan Allen; dancers/acrobats Duo Resonance; comedian Angela Hoover; and singer Dave Fenley.

Next week, the September 3 episode of AGT will be another semifinal round of performances, followed by eliminations the following night, so Forte will not appear again until the September 10 episode.

Will Mandel's prediction hold? Time will tell.

Jenn McKee is an entertainment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.