Luke Taleno returned to the America’s Got Talent stage with another original song, hoping to turn his incredible journey into a place in the Season 21 finale.
The 28-year-old rapper, who was born in Cuba and became a U.S. citizen shortly before his latest performance, performed his original song American Dream during the semifinals.
Taleno first captured attention during his audition in June, when he performed From Seat to Stage, an emotional original song inspired by his own life. His performance earned him a Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel and sent him straight through to the next stage of the competition.
But Taleno’s journey to AGT has been anything but easy.
He moved to the United States with his family when he was just 3 years old. Before he could fully communicate in English, he found a way to express himself through music and quickly understood its power to connect with people.
At 13, Taleno was diagnosed with leukemia. Years later, he returned to the AGT stage as a cancer survivor and a newly sworn-in U.S. citizen.
Luke Taleno earns praise for American Dream
For his semifinal performance, Taleno stepped onto the stage wearing a patriotic jacket and surrounded by stars and stripes, including imagery representing both the United States and Cuba.
He performed American Dream, an original song he had written just one week earlier. With confident delivery, strong energy and plenty of swagger, Taleno once again made his personal story the heart of his performance.
Mandel was quick to remind Taleno just how far he had come.
“You are the American dream, you really are,” Mandel told him.
The judge praised Taleno for overcoming years of health struggles and for making the dream he once talked about backstage with Simon Cowell a reality.
Mandel also gave Taleno a major comparison, calling him “the new Eminem.”
Mel B was equally impressed by the performance, praising the passion and emotion behind every word.
“You sung it with so much passion, and heart. And you interpreted every single word,” she said, adding, “You’re going to go very far.”
Sofía Vergara also had high praise for the rapper, calling him a “superstar already” and saying he is “so, so good.”
Taleno made his own feelings clear after the performance, saying that he is getting the chance to live out two dreams at once.
“Most people chase one dream,” he said. “And I’m getting to live both dreams. Let’s keep the dream alive.”
Fans rally behind Luke Taleno
Taleno’s semifinal performance quickly drew strong support from viewers, with many fans saying they believed he deserved a place in the finale.
“Luke deserves to be in the finals! This is an American Dream!” one viewer wrote.
Another fan praised Taleno after seeing that he did not advance, writing that he has “fantastic skills as a writer and rapper” and calling him “a genuinely amazing human.” The viewer added, “This world needs what you offer.”
His journey as a Cuban American also connected deeply with viewers. “As a Cuban American in Dade County, Luke you represent us so well! I am so proud of you!” one fan commented.
Many others focused on the song itself. “The song is on Fire,” one viewer wrote, while another called it “one of the best acts of the season.”
Fans also celebrated Taleno becoming a U.S. citizen, with one viewer congratulating him on his citizenship, overcoming cancer and making the journey “from seats to stage.”
Even viewers who do not usually listen to rap found themselves connecting with his performance. “Rap isn’t normally my style but I really like this act and his messages through his songs,” one fan said.
Several viewers also encouraged Taleno to keep pursuing music beyond AGT. One supporter told him that he had already “made it” and urged him to carefully manage his career and seek advice from artists he admires.
Others were even more direct, saying Taleno could become a star. “That guy’s the real deal and he will become a star,” one viewer wrote, while another said, “Luke, you will go far.”
For many fans, however, the biggest message was simple: Taleno’s AGT journey may have ended, but they believe his music career is only beginning.