Chicago’s Leo Choir wows on “America’s Got Talent”

A thunderous "So, so deserved" from Simon Cowell wasn’t just encouragement; it was a hometown high-five for Chicago’s Leo Catholic High School all-boys choir, which secured a hard-fought spot in the “America’s Got Talent” semifinals.

The choir, hailing from Auburn Gresham on Chicago’s South Side, delivered a rousing, a cappella-style rendition of Imagine Dragons’ “Believer” during Aug. 26’s quarterfinals. The performance was brimming with fierce choreography, sky-high energy, blazing pyrotechnics, and combat‑boot solidarity that had judges and viewers alike cheering.

Howie Mandel admitted on the show that the choir surprised him. “I never thought in my life I’d say something like, ‘I love this choir more than cheerleaders and magic tonight.’” The choir doesn’t just sing,  they redefine what it means to perform.

Choir director LaDonna Hill has become as much a part of the story as her students. A South Side native and educator for 25 years, Hill retired this spring from Leo High School after a career spent mentoring young men who often entered her classroom with no formal music training. Just when she thought her time on stage had ended, a phone call from “America’s Got Talent” producers in November reignited her passion. That first Zoom call led to months of rehearsals, deadlines, and long nights, ultimately propelling the boys and their teacher onto one of the world's grandest stages.

Simon Cowell urged director Hill not to walk away just yet. “You can’t leave. You are an amazing mentor,” he implored, visibly moved as Hill teared up. “Everyone in life... needs a mentor. This is what this show is all about.”

Host Terry Crews couldn’t help joining the chorus of admiration, asking Hill if she’d reconsider retirement. Through tears, she answered, “I would reconsider. This is amazing.”

The choir, ranked among the top five after their quarterfinal performance, clasped each other’s shoulders and stayed put through a suspenseful live results broadcast. When their name finally came up as one of America’s votes, jubilation erupted onstage and beyond.

Joining them in the semifinals are viral dance group Unreal and ten-year-old musical prodigy Bay Melnick Virgolino, while Mama Duke already secured her place with a Golden Buzzer. The semifinals begin on Sept. 16.

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Back home, the choir’s return was nothing short of triumphant. Landing at Midway Airport, the boys, some of whom were still literally catching their breath, smiled for the cameras and thanked Chicago for the love. “Honestly, it feels surreal,” senior Steven Jackson told NBC5 News. Another student confessed to CBS News, “In choir, people think we just sing, but we had to bring that boom.” And they definitely did.

Since their audition in March, and even earlier, when a CBS School Spotlight clip first introduced them to the world, they’ve been on a meteoric rise, fueled by twice-weekly rehearsals, performances around the city, and dreams bigger than any stage.

If the choir wins the $1 million prize, their plan is as meaningful as their music. They vow to split it among themselves and use it to finance their college ambitions. For many of these teens, music is no longer just a song; it's a way of life. It’s a ticket to opportunity.