Ndlovu Youth Choir Returns To America's Got Talent

Back in 2019, America’s Got Talent made headlines in South Africa after the viral video of the audition performance of a choral group from South Africa received the golden buzzer. The choral group in question was none other than the Ndlovu Youth Choir which hails from Limpopo, South Africa.

Following their viral audition performance, the choir was touted as one of the fan-favourite participants of the season. However, the choir did not win. Instead they made it into the top 10 before their exit from the talent search competition show.

While they might have left the show without winning, the choir did score big as it was reported at the time that:

…The whole country was celebrating the amazing milestone that South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir reached on America’s Got Talent.

Even though the young and talented ensemble did not win the competition, losing the title to Kodi Lee of California, we still celebrated because they did what many thought was impossible when they not only auditioned for AGT, but reached the finale.

They left a huge impression on all of us, including the American audience and the judges. But one judge who is willing to take the choir to greater heights is Simon Cowell.

Speaking to 702‘s Joanne Josephs on the Afternoon Drive, choir director Ralf Schmitt confirmed that music mogul, Simon Cowell has offered them a recording deal.

“We are very excited that Simon Cowell and his company have exercised their option to sign the choir and together with Sony Music South Africa are working on exciting projects,” Schmitt said.

This was back in 2019, and since then the choir has gone from strength to strength. So much so that back in 2019, they released their debut album titled Africa. Their sophomore album followed the year after titled Rise and in 2022 ahead of their return to America’s Got Talent: All Stars, they released their most recent album aptly titled Grateful.

Ndlovu Youth Choir returns to America’s Got Talent

With the new season of America’s Got Talent: All Stars, Ndlovu Youth Choir was the choir to recently confirm their return to the show. The premise of the All Stars version of the competition is shared as:

“With more than 70 local versions of Got Talent produced across Europe, Asia- Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, AGT: All-Stars brings together 60 of the most beloved and memorable contestants from across the globe for one of the toughest competitions.”

As such, on Tuesday, 24 January 2023 the Ndlovu Youth Choir marked their official return to the AGT stage. This time Simon Cowell touted the choir as the best choir to have ever been on the AGT stage. Moreover, instead of opting to do a cover of a song for their first performance.

This means so much to us. Baba @SimonCowell thank you for all you have done for us. We love and appreciate you. 🙌🏾❤️ https://t.co/3AtQeAFn4d

— Ndlovu Youth Choir (@ChoirAfrica) January 24, 2023

The Ndlovu Youth Choir opted to perform an original song. The song is the title song from their sophomore album titled We Will Rise. As the title would suggest, the song is an affirmation of rising out of the current circumstance in order to be like a phoenix rising up from the ashes, and like its previous performances also received a standing ovation from the judges.

I’m exceptionally proud of the entire Ndlovu Youth Choir team. Your guys brought the house down! It was great being back on @agt and we’re truly humbled by the incredible response to our performance.
pic.twitter.com/KypEL0vCBi

— Ralf Schmitt (@ralfschmitt100) January 24, 2023