"I'm still haunted by these nightmares 'cause I have a really creative mind, and sometimes it designs these alternate realities where she is still here," he said. The new dad moved the. 1 summer show, returns in May with fresh new faces and familiar favorites, along with the excitement, thrills and feel-good performances that viewers have come to love each season. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16, Golden Buzzer Brandon Leake Makes AGT History With Powerful Poetry - America's Got Talent 2020. He continued: "There is something very, very special about you. Brandon Leakeisa poet from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. Brandon was announced as the winner ahead of Broken Roots, Cristina Rae, Roberta Battaglia and Alan Silva, winning $1 million, a new KIA, and the headlining of a show in Las Vegas. That's what felt really good: knowing I'd done so much work to get so much better, and that I was finally there. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. Brandon Leake, the spoken-word poet who won the 2020 edition of America's Got Talent, has signed with UTA for all areas. Leake was born into a single parent home with his mother, Carla on the south side of Stockton, California. In my early stages of doing spoken-word, there might've been five, 10 people in the crowd, but theres a level of professionalism you have to have. Hours after the accident, Cowell underwent surgery during which he had a "number of fusions and metal rod" put into his back, a source previously told PEOPLE. Act Until Leake, 27, burst onto the scene in June with an emotional poem dedicated to his sister, who died as a baby, a spoken-word artist had never even appeared on the show, let alone captivate. To let it all hang loose on stage and leave nothing behind. On Tuesday, Vergara tweeted that the emotional performance was "a great way to end the night!!! Below, NBC Insider chats with Leake. Brandon Leake's Finals performance in Episode 1521 consisted of reciting a spoken word poem in the form of a prayer to his daughter Aaliyah. You also don't have to be this overly enthusiastic person who's chasing after everybody's attention. "And here we are.". Brandon Leake is AGT royalty. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Relive all of Brandon's full performances from the season. Get The America's Got Talent App: http://bit.ly/AGTAppDownload Subscribe for More: http://bit.ly/AGTSub America's Got Talent Tuesdays 8/7c on NBC! Stream on Peacock: https://pck.tv/3cCQGhHAMERICA'S GOT TALENT ON SOCIALLike AGT: https://www.facebook.com/agtFollow AGT: https://twitter.com/agtAGT Instagram: http://instagram.com/agtFind America's Got Talent trailers, full episode highlights, previews, promos, clips, and digital exclusives here.NBC ON SOCIAL:YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/nbcTwitter: http://Twitter.com/NBCFacebook: http://Facebook.com/NBCInstagram: http://instagram.com/nbcABOUT AMERICA'S GOT TALENTAmericas Got Talent,\" NBCs No. ET) on NBC. Gibson was only 8 months old. As well as his work as a performer, Brandon is also the founder of a youth organization Called to Move, which aids the development of young people through the art of poetry. BRANDON LEAKE: And I'm tired of playing God, because I got to come to terms with the fact that my sister ain't never coming back. In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. The first contestant to perform poetry on AGT, Leake prefaced his spoken word piece by dedicating it to his sister. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. KYLIE MAR: "America's Got Talent's" first-ever spoken-word contestant, 27-year-old Stockton poet, educator, and new father Brandon Leake, closed out Tuesday night's episode with a tear-jerking ode to his deceased younger sister. Brandon met his wife Anna at one of his shows in Stockton after she turned up with a mutual friend. Moved by his performance, Howie Mandel pressed his Golden Buzzer, sending Brandon directly to the Quarterfinals. It's either love or pain, one of the two. All of the judges and Crews have now used their Golden Buzzers. Burt Bacharach, Legendary Composer Of Pop Songs, Dies At 94 . Don't go out there chasing anybody else. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. Just be you. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Brandon Leake's Semifinals performance in Episode 1517 consisted of reciting a spoken word poem in the form of letters to his dad about how he missed out on many of Brandon's major life moments, eventually making peace. [2] It's no exaggeration to say thatAmerica's Got Talentfans had never seen anyone like Brandon Leake. "I had a nightmare that I would be 90 years old doing this show and nobody would be watching it, judge Simon Cowell said while looking back to the empty Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Congratulations to Brandon Leake for WINNING Season 15 of America's Got Talent! This was a long time coming. Age (at audition) "America, sit quietly, listen and take it in.". The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's "greatest fear" about her son living in America as a Black man and honored the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake. For more Brandon Leake AGT content, check out this roundup of his best moments from the show. When or if Cowell, 60, will return has yet to be determined. After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. The same way the Latino woman from Florida can relate to a young black kid from Cali," said Leake. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. I need you to return home my Pookie, to be your mom.' Leake says his overall goal is to spread a message that creates a more loving and gracious society. - America's Got Talent 2020 America's Got Talent 945K views 2 years ago Jayy Honors Her Parents Who Were Murdered In Front of Her. Praise be the kingdom. There was really nowhere else to go. Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. There was really nowhere else to go. : How did you discover spoken-word poetry? Leake tells his most personal stories to connect with others and inspire people far and wide. The poem touched every single Judge, but particularly Howie Mandel, who awarded Leake with a Golden Buzzer. A good number of us really cheered each other on, even when we were competitiveIf you do great, that doesn't mean I can't, Do you have any advice for the Acts competing on, this roundup of his best moments from the show. His tear-jerking tale of family tragedy not only earned judge Howie Mandels Golden Buzzer, but host Terry Crews told him, Youre about to put spoken word on the map like its never been before. Brandon, whose daughter was born just 14 days before his AGT audition, explained that he had turned to poetry years ago as a means of coping with his teen angst: I let all that frustration out. But, there is something so different about Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake and the countless others," Leake said. Mandel called the performance "raw," adding that "we feel your pain, we feel your love, and you moved me to do this" before reaching for the Golden Buzzer, raining confetti onto Leake and sending him straight to the live shows. 27-year-old Brandon Leake is a spoken word poet and motivational speaker. The reason I became so much better was actually 'cause I failed making the show the first time. I wish he could've been here," Vergara said. But instead of giving up, he went back to the drawing board, honed his craft, and tried again three years later stronger than ever. With the help of four other spoken word poets, he delivered a piece about his hometown of Stockton, California. The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's . And I'm tired of playing God, because Ive got to come to terms with the fact that my sister ain't never coming back. Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. 'America's Got Talent' Winners: Where Are They Now? "And as I stared at that screen, I couldn't help but think I was looking at a mirror image of myself being choked out for merely existing or for daring to be more than three-fifths of what them folk thought them to be. "There was something more raw in the way it's like singing and talking and just being a human a cappella. Then, eight months later, Danielle passed away. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister, Brandon explained. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. Mandel hit the Golden Buzzer as just five pairs of hands clapped, sendingLeake straight to the live final shows. "I've been ground-bound because she left. But I was left here to manufacture wings out of tears and broken dreams, Brandon rapped. "I can feel your pain. Do you have any advice for the Acts competing on AGT Season 17? SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. Brandon Leake is an award-winning spoken word poet, artistic educator and motivational speaker from . The audition greatly resonated with Vergara, 47, at the judges' panel. STOCKTON (CBS13) Putting yourself out there may not be easy, but sending a message that builds unity may be worth it. You don't have to be this hardened individual who steps in there and does this crazy competitive work. I shouldn't be judging it. Brandon Leake (born May 4, 1992) is a spoken word poet, educator and motivational speaker and the winner of the fifteenth season of America's Got Talent. This show is about talent as much as it is about story. I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. The last 11 acts to compete for a spot in the semi-finals were roaster Alex Hooper, hand-balancing siblings Bello Sisters, spoken word artist (and Mandel's Golden Buzzer winner) Brandon Leake, singers Broken Roots, cheerleaders C.A. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. me getting the opportunity to have an outlet to share that type of pain. Brandon Leake is an African-American spoken word poet, educator, and motivational speaker. Brandon Leake, a 27-year-old college counselor from Stockton, California, shocked the judges with an emotionally poetic spoken-word performance, a first on the "AGT" stage. / Good Day Sacramento. "I am going to show the world what a spoken-word poet can do.". SIMON COWELL: Really-- this is a very difficult thing for me to judge. This pursuit led to Brandon leading workshops around the world with several curricula he developed himself. On Tuesday's episode of the competition series, 27-year-old Brandon Leake took the stage in front of an empty audience due to the show's health precautions amid the pandemic to perform a spoken-word set. Everybody has to hear it. Brandon had explained that he had a fourteen-day old daughter and a sister whom he loved very much. Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories, "What an amazing tribute," said Cowell. He went on to study at Simpson University in Redding, where as well as writing poetry, he played basketball on Simpson's NCAA Division II team. Aside from crew members and hostTerry Crews, that meant there were only four people inthe audience Tuesday: Cowell,Sofa Vergara,Howie Mandel and guest judgeEric Stonestreet, who filled in for a sick Heidi Klum. A Poet Makes Golden Buzzer History On 'America's Got Talent' . The fourth and final slate of contestants performed in the live quarterfinal rounds of America's Got Talent. The Season 15 winner was the show's first-ever spoken word poet to compete. Stream now on Peacock.ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. That's the cost of love: caring for someone's so much that you can't imagine living life without them, staring at a grave. Leake actually didn't make it to the AGT stage when he first auditioned back in 2017. Leake was the first spoken word poet to perform on the show. Incredibly, in all of its 15 seasons, Americas Got Talent has never had a spoken-word contestant. We are the ones who, as I said, capture history. I'm still haunted by these nightmares because I have a really creative mind. On the following Wednesdays, (which will feature celebrity musical acts including BTS on Sept. 16), the finalists will be announced. Exclusive: How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. Since then, Leake has worked as an English teacher at Edison High School and an academic advisor at Delta College in Stockton. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "Love is the most vulnerable thing one will ever have," Leake recited, "And you must learn to hold onto it loosely so when it leaves it won't exit so painfully.". Position Reached Brandon's words were able to take a 64-year-old white guy and put him inside the heart and mind of an African-American mother whose just saying goodbye and fearing for her son's return," he said. What surprised you most about your AGT experience? During the Quarterfinals, the poet unveiled a timely original poem about the power of a Black mother's love and its tie to police brutality and racial injustice. ), "It's been great to have all those guest judges, but I do miss Simon. Brandon met his biological father for the very first time on August 31, 2017 and he married Anna on September 2, 2017. NBC Insider: How did you discover spoken-word poetry? "It is not our most dire moments that define us, but instead how we respond to them. It's either love or pain, one of the two. - America's Got Talent 2020https://youtu.be/SaPXcg7lLfgAmerica's Got Talenthttp://www.youtube.com/user/americasgottalent#AGT #AmericasGotTalent "My older brother, Rafael, was killed in Colombia," she said. If you don't understand it and you're not moved by it, then you're not a human being. ", She added at the time: "With so many bad things happening, it creates a tough skin. The judge's older brother, Rafael, was murdered in 1998 at age 27 during a kidnapping attempt in Colombia, and the memories came flooding back when Brandon Leake recited a poem about his sister's death, according to Fox News. Later, Leake emotionally said, "My mother's greatest fear is that I won't return home breathing, blood pulsing through these veins enough to still be her Pookie. ", "Words seem to move people and myself more than anything, he's got everything," Mandel, 64, said of his Golden Buzzer winner. As Brandon began to recite his piece, he told the gut-punching story of his sister, who was four years younger than him, dying at just 8 months old.. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. I could finally say spoken-word has a place in this artistry world. He received a standing ovation from Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Mandel. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. I shouldn't be judging it. Since the show gave him a platform to share his skill with the world, he has become a household name across the country. Cowell called his act an "amazing tribute." Are you close to your sister? asked Howie. His parents are Tyrone and Carla Leake-Gibson. Brandon returned as a guest performer in Episode 1610 performing a spoken word piece about his hometown of Stockton. After not making it in 2017, I said, Hey, I really want to try this out and get better at it. So I toured, I did a lot of work. For myself, it was like, this is my time. S15NBC Poets just have our local coffee shops. Simon Cowell Is 'Very Happy' to Be Home 1 Week After Breaking His Back and Undergoing Surgery, Sofia Vergara Recalls Brother's Death During Powerful AGT Audition: 'I Can Feel Your Pain', AGT: Watch Archie Williams, Brandon Leake and More Season 15 Finalists Perform for $1M Prize. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more! Brandon Leake is the winner of the 15th season of America's Got Talent. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. Meet the Season 17 Finalists of 'America's Got Talent', 'AGT' Star Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski's Family Is 'Devastated by Her Passing': 'Unimaginable Loss', empty audience due to the show's health precautions. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby sister. Published on July 1, 2020 11:34 AM. There's something very, very special about you. Leake's audition, featuring a deeply personal poem about his late sister, earned him a Golden Buzzer from Judge Howie Mandel, and he was an unstoppable force from there. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. "I can feel your pain; I know what this is. It's just me and my thoughts. As passionate fans of these shows, we provide news, analysis and fan engagement on Americas Got Talent, Britains Got Talent, The Voice, The X Factor, American Idol, The Four, The Masked Singer, The Worlds Best and its contestants.America's Got Talent 2020https://goo.gl/e12UJ8America's Got Talent News \u0026 Recapshttps://goo.gl/e12UJ8 SOFIA VERGARA: Yeah. Brandon's final performance was an emotional spoken word piece about his new-born daughter. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. "Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays (8 p.m. (Kelly Clarkson and Kenan Thompson previously served as season 15 guest judges during the live shows. He was the winner of the competition, claiming the $1,000,000 prize, a new car, and the headlining of a show in Las Vegas. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends. There's something very, very special about you. After reciting his incredibly moving poem, Brandon got a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel, while Sofia looked visibly stunned. I handicapped myself for years because I was too concerned with how people looked at me, how people perceived me. In addition to the $1 million grand prize and a newKia Stinger, Leake is currently a headliner atAGT's live Las Vegas show at the Luxor. A good number of us really cheered each other on, even when we were competitiveIf you do great, that doesn't mean I can't also be great. On June 30, 27-year old Brandon Leake took the stage to perform a spoken-word ode to his late sister, Danielle, and the performance left Sofia visibly shaken. His words captured the judges and drew a standing ovation. Brandon's daughter was born just 14 days before hisAGTaudition. I am so grateful to be in this country. Mother was like a zombie. She's here with me now," Leake said, leading Mandel to ask if shewas backstage. "This is what an audition is actually like," Cowell said. "I think just aside whatever this contest is and this talent show is, it's probably the clearest vision of what is going on today than what I have ever heard. HOWIE MANDEL: You're amazing, buddy. 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