Leon Thomas

Born Leon George Thomas III on August 1, 1993, in Brooklyn, New York, Thomas began his career early, making his Broadway debut at age 10 in 2003 as Young Simba in “The Lion King.” He continued his theatrical work, appearing as Jackie Thibodeaux in “Caroline, or Change” in 2004 and later in “The Color Purple.” His transition into film and television began with roles such as Arthur in the 2007 film “August Rush,” where he performed the song “La Bamba,” and as the singing voice of Tyrone in “The Backyardigans.” He also made guest appearances on shows like “Jack’s Big Music Show” and “Just Jordan.” These early experiences laid the groundwork for his future work in both performance and music.

Thomas gained widespread recognition for his main role as Andre Harris on the Nickelodeon series “Victorious,” which premiered in 2010 and ran until 2013. During this period, he also ventured into solo music, releasing his first mixtape “Metro Hearts” in 2012 and co-writing songs for his “Victorious” co-star Ariana Grande’s 2013 album “Yours Truly.” His production collective, The Rascals, further expanded his reach, contributing to Grammy Award-winning projects like Toni Braxton and Babyface’s album “Love, Marriage & Divorce.” This period marked a significant turning point, establishing him not only as an actor but also as a reputable songwriter and producer.

Following “Victorious,” Thomas continued to develop his music career, releasing mixtapes like “V1bes” (2014) and “Before the Beginning” (2016), and the EP “Genesis” (2018). He expanded his writing and production work, contributing to albums for major artists such as Post Malone, Rick Ross, Drake, and SZA. His work on SZA’s “Snooze” earned him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 2024. In 2022, he signed with Ty Dolla Sign’s EZMNY Records, a joint venture with Motown, releasing his debut studio album “Electric Dusk” in 2023 and achieving solo chart success with his second album, “Mutt” (2024), which debuted on the Billboard 200 and featured a Hot 100 single. His career reflects consistent growth and achievement across multiple facets of the entertainment industry.