Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. Moved by his performance, Howie Mandel pressed his Golden Buzzer, sending Brandon directly to the Quarterfinals. Spoken word is the name given to poetry written to be performed, and Leake is the first ever performer of this genre to be featured on AGT. Read on. Brandon Leake POWERFUL Poetry About Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake Brandon Leake Will Make You EMOTIONAL With His Spoken Word - America's Got Talent 2020, Brandon Leake Delivers Emotional Spoken Word to His Daughter - America's Got Talent 2020, Brandon Leake Performs a Moving Spoken Word Piece About AGT - America's Got Talent 2020, THE WINNER IS - America's Got Talent 2020, Brandon Leake's EMOTIONAL Performance Receives a Standing Ovation - AGT- All-Stars 2023. It's no exaggeration to say thatAmerica's Got Talentfans had never seen anyone like Brandon Leake. Are you close to your sister? asked Howie. SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. 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. I'm just trying to hold onto you. But America's Got Talent was a place that said, Hey, we'll welcome you if you're good. And fortunately for me, I was good enough to make the show the second time around. 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 And I know my sister would be proud of the way her brother has responded to all the things that have been thrown in my way.". Brandon Leake is the winner of the 15th season of America's Got Talent. I know what this is. Let's find out#GoldenBuzzer #BrandonLeake . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. KYLIE MAR: And in an "AGT" first, no live audience was present due to coronavirus concerns. He went on to study at Simpson University in Redding, where as well as writing poetry, he played basketball onSimpson'sNCAA Division II team. "It is not our most dire moments that define us, but instead how we respond to them. ET) on NBC. This show is about talent as much as it is about story. The poem touched every single Judge, but particularly Howie Mandel, who awarded Leake with a Golden Buzzer. If you don't understand it and you're not moved by it, then you're not a human being. "For me, it's my first time and I feel comfortable when he is with us. SOFIA VERGARA: My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away. Tune in next week, when the Americas Got Talent auditions once again, without a live audience conclude. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. Brandon Leake is AGT royalty. Your poems are so raw. "There was something more raw in the way it's like singing and talking and just being a human a cappella. It's the time that I don't have anybody pulling on me. I shouldn't be judging it. Leake was the first-ever spoken word poet to win America's Got Talent. She died from an enlarged heart at only eight-months-old. You just have to take a deep breath and keep on going if not for yourself, then for everybody you love.". Brandon set up the group whilst at university, and began hosting open mic nights to raise money for kids suffering from domestic abuse to go to summer camps. Brandon Leake's Adorable 3-Year-Old Crashed His AGT: All-Stars Audition The Season 15 alum made history with his win in 2020 as the first-ever spoken word poet to compete. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Poets just have our local coffee shops. Watch thousands of hours of hit movies and shows, plus daily news, sports, and pop culture updates. Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Finals in Episode 1518 instead of Thomas Day. Watch Brandon Leake's Audition on AGT:https://youtu.be/tdjIFkM-ohQWill Brandon become the next AGT winner?? There's something very, very special about you. This story contains details from the June 30 episode of "America's Got Talent.". His sister passed away when he was only 4-years-old. Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. Coming from a kid who was always concerned about looking cool, being cool, and doing cool stuff, it was really hard for me to relinquish that type of cool jacket off of myself, How communal the talent pool became. "She's here with me now," he said of Danielle Marie Gibson, who died in 1997 at only 8 months old. We are the ones who, as I said, capture history. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. 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. : The journey started one of two ways. Wildcats, singer Celina, Divas & Drummers of Compton, singer Kenadi Dodds, projection artists Lightwave Theatre Company and dancer Noah Epps. After the final five acts are determined for the live semifinals, next week will be the first of two rounds, with 10 acts competing each Tuesday (Sept. 8 and Sept. 15) at the Universal Studios Hollywood lots. That's what felt really good: knowing I'd done so much work to get so much better, and that I was finally there. Sex Your mother and I love you more than youll ever know., Today fans divided over Jenna's dress as some viewers say it's 'inappropriate', Sister Wives Janelle Brown doesnt approve of Christines new romance, Inside 1000-lb Sisters stars Amy and Michael's secret fights over kids, Today's Savannah Guthrie abruptly leaves show after scary new medical diagnosis, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15, Leake is a spoken word poet and motivational speaker, Brandon blew away judge Howie Mandel after he performed a piece about the loss of his sister, Brandon met his wife Anna at one of his shows in Stockton, Leake was born on the south side of Stockton, California, Brandon has a daughter of six months named Aaliyah, AGT's Heidi Klum hits the Golden Buzzer pickingCristina Rae for the finals. "My older brother, Rafael, was killed in Colombia," she said. Although the audience was missing, the talent was not. 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. Below, NBC Insider chats with Leake. My kids don't bother me when I'm in the shower, my wife doesn't need anything from me when I'm in the shower. 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. Howie Mandel gave him a standing ovation. - America's Got Talent 2020https://youtu.be/SaPXcg7lLfgAmerica's Got Talenthttp://www.youtube.com/user/americasgottalent#AGT #AmericasGotTalent His poems featuring themes of grief, parenthood, race, and more were raw and unfiltered as Leake took the stage to open up about his life every week. The Modern Family actress then said that Leake's poem reminded her of her late brother. In his performance, Leake recalled the death of his sister in the late 90s, and his grief in the wake of her passing. "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. SOFIA VERGARA: Yeah. Brandon blew away judge Howie Mandel in particular after he performed a piece about the loss of his sister. ), "It's been great to have all those guest judges, but I do miss Simon. "Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister. The Season 15 winner is the competition's first (and only) spoken-word poetry champion. By McKenzie. HOWIE MANDEL: You're amazing, buddy. Since then, Leake has worked as an English teacher at Edison High School and an academic advisor at Delta College in Stockton. I shouldn't be judging it, I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary.". Exclusive:How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more! I'm all too familiar with how some family reunions only ever take place on graveyard grass, and a hole can be a safe haven for a soul in this mortal game of hide and go seek. Brandon met his wife Anna at one of his shows in Stockton after she turned up with a mutual friend. All of the judges and Crews have now used their Golden Buzzers. It doesn't take away from me. Age (at audition) 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. Brandon Leake is the first spoken word poet act to receive the, In Brandon's Finals performance, it was mentioned that he auditioned for, Brandon is Howie Mandel's second (third if counting. This is a very difficult thing for me to judge, I shouldnt be judging it. "This is what an audition is actually like," Cowell said. But it was very beautiful for me. However, it was Howie who hit that Golden Buzzer the final Golden Buzzer of the season still left in play which automatically advanced Brandon to the live shows. And sometimes it designs these alternate realities where she is still here, still alive, and all the things I wish we could have done are played again and again and again, Brandon continued, as his voice began to quaver. Spoiler alert! On the following Wednesdays, (which will feature celebrity musical acts including BTS on Sept. 16), the finalists will be announced. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. The same way the Latino woman from Florida can relate to a young black kid from Cali," said Leake. She did this really sweet poem about her relationship with Jesus. In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. After Shevon belted an original ballad that she wrote for Jamie, Through the Good and Bad, and received unanimous yeses, she and Jamie (who is now her husband) elatedly revealed to Terry backstage that they will soon be new parents themselves. Coming from a kid who was always concerned about looking cool, being cool, and doing cool stuff, it was really hard for me to relinquish that type of cool jacket off of myselfto just be OK with being like, Let me, for lack of a better term, look like a dumbass on stage. You have to give yourself permission to cryto do theater, in a sense. I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! Brandon is also the founder and CEO of Called to Move, an organization that aids youth in self-actualizing and personally developing through the art of poetry. Brandon Leake One of the best days of Brandon's life was when his sister, Danielle Marie Gibson, was born. In a poem used as an open letter to his father, Leake reflected on their years-long strained relationship and road to healing. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. For myself, it was like, this is my time. At present, he is 30 years old and his sun sign is Taurus. BRANDON LEAKE: I know I said earlier to hold on to love loosely so when it leaves, it won't exit so painfully. 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. 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. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. TERRY CREWS: You have received the Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel. The then 4-year-old adored being a big brother and couldn't wait for all the fun they'd have together. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. "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.". Brandon Leake is a poet from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. The fourth and final slate of contestants performed in the live quarterfinal rounds of America's Got Talent. Like, How about I trade my six feet for yours? But that's not real. Brandons vulnerable words resonated throughout the empty venue in an AGT first, no live audience was present, due to coronavirus concerns. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. 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. Relive all of Brandon's full performances from the season. Get The America's. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," she said. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. First published on March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM. 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. [1] He was the first spoken word poet to be on America's Got Talent and received the Golden Buzzer award in the first round from Howie Mandel. "Normally death don't really bother me, I'm from southside Stockton. Photo: Trae Patton/NBC. [2] 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. WINNER Brandon Leake All Performances on America's Got Talent!Audition - 0:05Quarterfinals - 5:03Semifinals - 10:01Finale - 14:59#AGT #AmericasGotTalent #TalentRecapFor more HD videos, news, analysis and recaps of America's Got Talent please subscribe \u0026 follow Talent Recap:https://talentrecap.com/For more HD full episode videos, news and recaps of your favorite talent show please subscribe \u0026 followTALENT RECAP ON SOCIAL:YouTube: https://goo.gl/6pybnwLike: https://www.facebook.com/talentrecap/Follow: https://twitter.com/TalentRecapInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentrecap/ABOUT TALENT RECAP Talent Recap is the #1 independent website which is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. "I believe that the biggest issue in this world, and I'm not being political, I'm being truthful, we're all in this together. Brandon Leake is an award-winning spoken word poet, artistic educator and motivational speaker from . 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. The activist also liaises with Stockton Police Department, advocating for reform of their use-of-force policies to better the relationship between minorities and the police. I handicapped myself for years because I was too concerned with how people looked at me, how people perceived me. Read More 'AGT': Poet Brandon Leake wins star-studded finale with Duchess Meghan, Blake Shelton. 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. Howie and Heidi are amazing, but he's the boss! Brandon won 'AGT' season 15 in September 2020, taking home $1 million prize money, a new Kia Stinger, and the chance to perform in Luxor Las Vegas. Praise be the kingdom. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," an emotional Vergara said. Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. "Its amazing to me that on Season 15 its the first time were hearing spoken word," the comedian said. After reciting his incredibly moving poem, Brandon got a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel, while Sofia looked visibly stunned. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friendsme getting the opportunity to have an outlet to share that type of pain. "But it was very beautiful for me," Vergara said of the poem. Klum, Vergara and Mandel have all spoken to PEOPLE about Cowell's recovery. ", Mandel added, "I asked Brandon if his mother had heard this and he said no. But I was left here to manufacture wings out of tears and broken dreams, Brandon rapped. Brandon Leake's Preliminary performance in Episode AS06 consisted of performing a spoken word poem about a homeless man he met on the street with a moral of not judging a book by its cover. "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. Leake, who is AGT's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. WINNER Brandon Leake All Performances on America's Got Talent!Audition - 0:05Quarterfinals - 5:03Semifinals - 10:01Finale - 14:59#AGT #AmericasGotTalent #Tal. Old and his sun sign is Taurus time and I feel comfortable he... 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