Andrew De Leon

Born in Harlingen, Texas, and raised in surrounding cities, Andrew De Leon was exposed to various musical styles from a young age. His early interests included pop artists such as Britney Spears and The Spice Girls. In the early 2000s, his musical focus shifted with the emergence of the rock band Evanescence. Their blend of classical influences in vocals and orchestration with rock instrumentation significantly impacted De Leon, inspiring him to consider a career in music after watching their live concert special. During his high school years, De Leon primarily listened to heavy metal, which he used to cope with personal challenges. He also developed an interest in horror films.

A significant turning point occurred in 2008 when De Leon viewed the film “Repo! The Genetic Opera.” This experience changed his perspective on music, as the film combined horror, gore, and catchy musical numbers. Among the performers in the film, Sarah Brightman particularly captured his attention. Her vocal range impressed him and led him to research her work extensively. De Leon began practicing singing in the style of Brightman for personal enjoyment. Over time, he recognized that singing was a potential career path for him. In early 2012, De Leon saw a commercial advertising auditions for “America’s Got Talent.” Inspired by viral clips of past contestants, such as Susan Boyle, he decided to audition.

Andrew De Leon gained public recognition through his 2012 audition on “America’s Got Talent,” where he performed an operatic rendition of “O Mio Babbino Caro” while dressed in gothic attire. His performance resulted in a standing ovation and positive feedback from judges, including Sharon Osbourne, who identified him as an “individual” and “a star.” The videos of this performance have accumulated over 150 million views internationally. Following his television debut, De Leon signed with StandBy Records, releasing his debut EP, “Dark Tales,” in 2015. He has since expanded his musical repertoire to include albums across pop, rock, classical, and heavy metal genres. In 2021, De Leon collaborated with opera singer and producer David Serero, releasing the album “A Stranger in Paradise.” This album features a jazz/crossover style, reinterpreting classics such as “Reasons” by Earth, Wind and Fire, and opera pieces like “O Mio Babbino Caro” and “Lascia Ch’io Pianga.”