Jesse White Tumblers Headed To ‘America’s Got Talent’ Tuesday For Live Show

CHICAGO — After wowing the judges during their July audition on “America’s Got Talent,” Chicago’s Jesse White Tumbling Team is returning to the popular NBC reality competition show this week. But this time, the team’s future in the competition depends on public support.

The tumbling team, formed 67 years ago by former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to keep Chicago youth away from gangs and drugs, will appear 7 p.m. Tuesday for a live quarterfinals show — which is when selected “America’s Got Talent” acts compete for the most viewer votes to advance toward the finale.

During their audition that premiered in July, the Jesse White Tumblers received a standing ovation and four “yes” votes from the panel of celebrity judges: Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofía Vergara and Simon Cowell.

“You’re the epitome of what ‘AGT’ is all about, thank you for being here,” Mandel told the team after their performance.

“I thought it was sensational,” said Cowell. “You’re following an act with lasers and pyrotechnics, and this was all about you as a group, as individuals, being great, putting the hours in … I mean, it really, really paid off.”

Cowell went up to shake Jesse White’s hand personally after the performance.

Now, the celebrated Chicago acrobats have another chance to perform and advance in the competition’s 21st season.

Viewers can cast up to 10 votes for the team on the “America’s Got Talent” mobile app and NBC website. Voters will be asked to log in with their email or create an account if they don’t already have one. Upon signing in, they will have 10 votes, which can be spread across various acts or given to one talent.

Viewers can also vote via TikTok posts. Find more specific voting instructions from NBC here. Voting will open here upon the episode’s Tuesday premiere.

People can tune into the competition 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC, and they can watch it the next day on Peacock.

The Jesse White Tumbling Team (formerly known as the Jesse White Tumblers) have been flipping and flying since 1959. That’s when White, then working as an elementary school teacher, was asked to organize a gymnastics show at the Rockwell Gardens housing development in East Garfield Park.

Since then, the gymnastics show with a rotating coed group of young tumblers have performances at parades and events across the Chicago area. They’ve also traveled internationally to places like Hong Kong, Tokyo and Belize.

“’America’s Got Talent’ is a highlight of all we’ve been able to accomplish with this program,” White, now 92, previously told Block Club. The youngest tumbler performing with the team on the show was just 8 years old.