![\"America\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/d89d1a29-6035-4ebd-8517-9990b982bb62.jpeg\" "\\"America\u2019s")
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America\u2019s Got Talent episode with Luke Taleno<\/p>\n
Chris Haston<\/p>\n
NBC<\/p>\n
Luke Taleno is living the dream.<\/p>\n
The freestyle rapper, 28, has the distinguished honor of receiving a rare Golden Buzzer on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d June 2. That means a contestant is fast-tracked by one judge whose opinion overrides all others.<\/p>\n
Belting out his original tune \u201cSeat to Stage,\u201d about his unlikely rise to fame, the Season 21 standout floored comedian Howie Mandel, who did the deed during the auditions phase.<\/p>\n
If it hadn\u2019t been Mandel, another judge might have taken on buzzer duties \u2014 Sofia Vergara. Some of Taleno\u2019s lyrics are dedicated to her:<\/p>\n
\u201cHola, Sofia,\u201d the Cuba native serenaded the \u201cModern Family\u201d star, who looked both shocked and thrilled. \u201cYo te conoc\u00eda cuando estaba con mi t\u00eda viendo la telenovela directo de Hialeah. T\u00fa de Barranquilla, la \u00fanica Sofia.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bilingual track is autobiographical. Taleno, who migrated with his family to Hialeah at age 3, did indeed first get to know the Colombian bombshell back in her soap opera and TV hosting days.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember growing up and seeing her a lot,\u201d Taleno told the Miami Herald in an interview. \u201cShe is an absolute legend, so I wanted to pay homage to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meeting Vergara, \u201ca sweetheart,\u201d was \u201csurreal,\u201d as was the entire experience. Appearing on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d had been on Taleno\u2019s bucket list for a while, so it really was a full circle moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything about being up there was me manifesting the moment,\u201d the father of one said. \u201cIt was all my hard work coming to fruition and believing it would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the episode, offers began rolling in. He did a set at FIFA Fan Fest during the World Cup, headlined a July 4 party at Milander Park and threw out the first pitch at a Marlins game at LoanDepot Park.<\/p>\n
Almost a year ago, Taleno was in a different place \u2014 in the \u201cAGT\u201d audience supporting New Orleans street performer Jourdan Blue, who ended up coming in third place.<\/p>\n
While hanging around outside the long-running show\u2019s studios in Los Angeles, Taleno crossed paths with none other than judge Simon Cowell, and took a shot. Pinned on his Instagram is the soothsaying encounter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want you to remember this face \u2014 Golden Buzzer next year. You got me?\u201d the artist tells Cowell, who smiles, shakes his hand and responds, \u201cI got you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The post then cuts to Mandel slamming the device, screaming at Taleno in awe: \u201cHow did you KNOW??!\u201d as confetti rains down.<\/p>\n
The tale of how Taleno just knew he\u2019d be famous goes way back. As a kid, he was into all kinds of music, and learned English by listening to Eminem and 50 Cent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was always listening to different artists growing up,\u201d said Taleno, who counts Michael Bolton\u2019s \u201cHow Am I Supposed to Live Without You\u201d as one of his faves. \u201cI just didn\u2019t know if it would be a career. I didn\u2019t know how that was going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
At age 13, just as he was figuring stuff out, life threw a scary curveball that would eventually cement his destiny. Taleno was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and spent almost two years in and out of treatment at Nicklaus Children\u2019s Hospital near South Miami.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very tough time,\u201d admitted the Hialeah High alum. \u201cMy life was put completely put on pause as I mentally processed what was happening to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
One fortuitous day, a certain megafamous rapper came to see patients in Taleno\u2019s wing. Being in a \u201cdark place,\u201d he initially didn\u2019t want to leave his room to meet the special guest.<\/p>\n
Thank goodness for the \u201cinsistent\u201d nurses, who persuaded the ailing teen to go out there. After all, it\u2019s not every day Pitbull pays a visit.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was life changing,\u201d said Taleno of the few minutes he got with the local legend, who has his own underdog story. \u201cI could relate to him and something clicked. I went from not seeing anything to seeing a future.\u201d<\/p>\n
About that future. On Aug. 18, Taleno will return to the NBC reality competition\u2019s live shows, for a shot in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Nervous? Not in the least \u2014 Taleno is locked in.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything aligned the way God planned,\u201d said the hip-hopper, who plans to do a \u201ctriumph\u201d themed surprise song he wrote especially for the event. \u201cI\u2019m going to show everyone what this is what I\u2019m meant to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
If he makes it all the way in the September finale and wins the $1 million prize, what then?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll pay off some debt,\u201d said the Only in Dade collaborator, laughing. \u201cBut then I\u2019ll turn the money around and invest it back into music. Not just for my future but other kids, to help them carve their path, the way Pitbull helped me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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