SOUTH SIDE — The talented young voices of Leo Catholic High School are stepping onto one of the biggest stages in entertainment: NBC’s hit series, “America’s Got Talent.”
The school’s all-boys choir auditioned earlier this year for the show’s 20th season, and their performance is set to air Tuesday night at 7 p.m. (Central Time).
For Joshua Smith, a second tenor in the choir, the moment carries personal weight. “It is my dream to one day sing with my mom on ‘America’s Got Talent,’” he shared. While she wasn’t on stage with him, she was there to support him through the journey. “So I’m halfway there,” he said proudly.
Singing For More Than Just Fame
The Leo Catholic High School choir, based in Chicago’s South Side, already has an impressive performance résumé. They’ve sung for the Chicago Cubs, the White Sox, and even at the Democratic National Convention in 2024.
Still, auditioning in front of “AGT” judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Sofia Vergara brought a whole new level of excitement — and nerves.
“You’re on a big stage, you have this platform — of course you’re going to be nervous,” Smith admitted. “But then, as my choir director always says, we prepared for this. So the nervousness just goes away once we start. And that’s how it really was.”
From CBS News To Viral Fame
The choir’s national moment didn’t happen overnight. Their journey began with a local spotlight on CBS News Chicago in 2024, where a video segment featuring their performance went viral. That exposure caught the attention of “AGT” producers, who reached out for an audition.
It wasn’t just their talent that made headlines — for many of the boys, the experience came with several firsts. About half of the students had never flown before. Their first plane ride took them to Los Angeles, where they made the most of their time offstage.
“We explored the city, and of course, being from Chicago, we ate pizza,” said Leo Principal Shaka Rawls. “All of a sudden, we’re in Pasadena, having a great time with palm trees and beautiful weather.”
What Happens Tuesday Night?
The students are keeping quiet about what exactly happened during their audition. Will Simon Cowell be impressed? Did they earn a standing ovation or face tough critique?
We’ll have to wait and see. The outcome remains a secret until Tuesday’s broadcast.
Have you ever watched a local school group make it big on national TV? Share your thoughts and cheer on Leo Catholic High School in the comments below. Let’s rally around these young men bringing Chicago pride to the big stage.
