Meet Sheldon Riley, The Dark Pop Singer Returning for ‘AGT: Fantasy League’
Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC Reading Time: 3 minutes
You simply cannot lock Shelton Riley in a box. With his distinct singing style, it’s no shock that he’s introduced a whole new class of music. Yet, before that, he’ll be gracing the stage of AGT: Fantasy League first. Riley is among the 40 talented acts competing on AGT: Fantasy League, let’s get to know him better.
Sheldon Riley’s Distinct Voice is a Potential New Genre in Music
Hailing from Sydney, New South Wales, Riley was born to an Australian mother and Filipino father. He first appeared on season eight of the Australian version of The X Factor in 2016. Riley made it to the live shows and was voted out during a quadruple elimination. Later, he returned to the screens with The Voice Australia where he ended up in third place.
Riley later competed in season 15 of America’s Got Talent, impressing the panel with his incredible vocals. Somehow, the pandemic hindered his journey on the show as he wasn’t allowed to travel to the US. He was, however, eliminated after his quarter-final performance.
As a proud member of the queer community, Riley has been open about his struggles growing up. According to him, being gay set him apart from other kids his age, making “growing up a little bit harder.” Apparently, he used to blame his Asian genes for not appearing “more manly” and for not having “stronger” features.
Yet, as he continued to form an intimate relationship with music, he learned how to live “unapologetically.” Thus, when he began showcasing his unique vocals, people were in awe by his musical genius.
“A lot of people ask, ‘Is it pop? Is it jazz?’ Orchestral dark pop is what I think it is. It’s really emotional but there’s so much light and beauty in it as well,” he said.
He’s Competing on AGT: Fantasy League
Soon, Riley will take the AGT stage again for AGT: Fantasy League. In 2024, he’ll be gracing America once again with his mesmerizing sound. As he attempts to snatch the first ever trophy from the spinoff, fans are yet to see if his creative capabilities can
“The person that I’ve always wanted to look up to – that’s me now. I get to be myself, I get to walk around in the clothes that I wear. I get to sing the songs that I want to sing and I know that people are going to want to listen to them,” he said.
If you want to witness Sheldon Riley’s journey on the spinoff, be sure to tune in on the show. America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League premieres Monday, Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and will stream the next day on Peacock.
