This Hialeah rapper won over ‘AGT’ judges. Hear his inspiring backstory

News admin August 11, 2026 0 Comments

This Hialeah rapper won over ‘AGT’ judges. Hear his inspiring backstory

Luke Taleno is living the dream.

The freestyle rapper, 28, has the distinguished honor of receiving a rare Golden Buzzer on “America’s Got Talent” June 2. That means a contestant is fast-tracked by one judge whose opinion overrides all others.

Belting out his original tune “Seat to Stage,” about his unlikely rise to fame, the Season 21 standout floored comedian Howie Mandel, who did the deed during the auditions phase.

If it hadn’t been Mandel, another judge might have taken on buzzer duties — Sofia Vergara. Some of Taleno’s lyrics are dedicated to her:

“Hola, Sofia,” the Cuba native serenaded the “Modern Family” star, who looked both shocked and thrilled. “Yo te conocía cuando estaba con mi tía viendo la telenovela directo de Hialeah. Tú de Barranquilla, la única Sofia.”

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.

“I remember growing up and seeing her a lot,” Taleno told the Miami Herald in an interview. “She is an absolute legend, so I wanted to pay homage to her.”

Meeting Vergara, “a sweetheart,” was “surreal,” as was the entire experience. Appearing on “America’s Got Talent” had been on Taleno’s bucket list for a while, so it really was a full circle moment.

“Everything about being up there was me manifesting the moment,” the father of one said. “It was all my hard work coming to fruition and believing it would happen.”

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.

Almost a year ago, Taleno was in a different place — in the “AGT” audience supporting New Orleans street performer Jourdan Blue, who ended up coming in third place.

While hanging around outside the long-running show’s 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.

“I just want you to remember this face — Golden Buzzer next year. You got me?” the artist tells Cowell, who smiles, shakes his hand and responds, “I got you.”

The post then cuts to Mandel slamming the device, screaming at Taleno in awe: “How did you KNOW??!” as confetti rains down.

The tale of how Taleno just knew he’d 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.

“I was always listening to different artists growing up,” said Taleno, who counts Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” as one of his faves. “I just didn’t know if it would be a career. I didn’t know how that was going to happen.”

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’s Hospital near South Miami.

“It was a very tough time,” admitted the Hialeah High alum. “My life was put completely put on pause as I mentally processed what was happening to me.”

One fortuitous day, a certain megafamous rapper came to see patients in Taleno’s wing. Being in a “dark place,” he initially didn’t want to leave his room to meet the special guest.

Thank goodness for the “insistent” nurses, who persuaded the ailing teen to go out there. After all, it’s not every day Pitbull pays a visit.

“It was life changing,” said Taleno of the few minutes he got with the local legend, who has his own underdog story. “I could relate to him and something clicked. I went from not seeing anything to seeing a future.”

About that future. On Aug. 18, Taleno will return to the NBC reality competition’s live shows, for a shot in the semifinals.

Nervous? Not in the least — Taleno is locked in.

“Everything aligned the way God planned,” said the hip-hopper, who plans to do a “triumph” themed surprise song he wrote especially for the event. “I’m going to show everyone what this is what I’m meant to do.”

If he makes it all the way in the September finale and wins the $1 million prize, what then?

“I’ll pay off some debt,” said the Only in Dade collaborator, laughing. “But then I’ll 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.”