A choir from an all-boys Catholic school on Chicago’s South Side showed out with a strong performance on the “America’s Got Talent” stage Tuesday for their second live performance on the show.
The Leo Choir Boys of Leo Catholic High School wowed the judges with their performance of “Believer” by Imagine Dragons.
“You guys lit up this whole entire place,” judge Mel B said to the choir. “You stepped it up, up — above and beyond.”
“We can tell that you have worked so hard, congratulations,” judge Sofia Vergara said after their performance.
Simon Cowell said there is one word that kept coming to his mind during the choir’s performance: “strength.”
“I have a really good feeling,” Cowell added.
The boys choir needs supporters to vote online help ensure they advance to the next round of the competition. Voting is open until 6 a.m. CT Wednesday, Aug. 27.
The $1 million prize money would be split among the boys for college tuition.
Back at their school in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood, teachers and their peers are beaming with pride.
“They feel like they’re dreaming, but as their audition song stated, they feel they were born for this,” said Dan McGrath, Leo High School President. “We really do think they represent Chicago very well and I hope all of Chicago will get out and vote for us.”
“If we push them through, they’ll take it from there,” McGrath added.
The boys choir is known for their performances, having been tapped to sing at the city’s upcoming mass at Rate Field in honor of Pope Leo XIV as well as numerous other major city events.
The boys advanced forward in the competition after their audition performance of “Born for This” by The Script in June.
The audience, including the school’s principal and other supporters of the group, erupted in cheers and rose to a roaring standing ovation after their audition.
“I felt like that was your song and you were singing it from the heart,” Mel B said as the audience continued its cheers for the 22 teens who just finished their performance.
“I can imagine this as a Broadway show. It was so powerful what you just did,” Simon Cowell said.
“To me, it was men with a mission, with a sensitivity. It was beautiful… you guys deserve to be on this stage,” Sofia Vergara said.