"Kind of," Leake replied. He received a standing ovation from Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Mandel. Brandon Leake, AGT Season 15 winner: The journey started one of two ways. But if this pain and these memories are all that I got left of you, I won't never regret these scars. The NBC App is the best place to catch up on the most recent season of your favorite shows, watch live TV, and stream movies. 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. 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. Everybody else is pretty much irrelevant. Sex Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. Praise be the kingdom. Watch thousands of hours of hit movies and shows, plus daily news, sports, and pop culture updates. For myself, it was like, this is my time. And season 15 will conclude on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23, when a winner will be crowned during the scheduled finale. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. The reason I became so much better was actually 'cause I failed making the show the first time. 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. Winner, Preliminaries Tearing up at the powerful performance, Vergara was speechless immediately after, as judges Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell gave a standing ovation, saying simply, "Wow." We feel your love. Brandons audition wasnt Tuesdays only emotional moment. Below, NBC Insider chats with Leake about his experience on AGT, where he writes his best poems, and more. "This right here is genuinely a moment in which spoken word got a chance to be on the forefront of the American conscious," he said to People following his victory. No music, no nothing. There was something more raw, in the way that it's like singing and talking and just being a human, a cappella no music, no nothing, just a raw heart beating in front of us, Howie marveled. "She's here with me now," he said of Danielle Marie Gibson, who died in 1997 at only 8 months old. You give the same effort of performance and excellence for 10 people as you do for 10,000. "I did all of this just to give you that. Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. We'll be the voices that people look back and say this is what this era looked like," said Leake. "I'm tired of playing God 'cause I gotta come to terms with the fact that my sister ain't never comin' back.". "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.". This is a very difficult thing for me to judge. This was a long time coming. What surprised you most about your AGT experience? This story contains details from the June 30 episode of "America's Got Talent.". That being said, if an audience had been present during this taping, its likely that all spectators would have been rendered stunned and pindrop-silent by Brandons words. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. 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. But it was his first time, I believe, being moved by it the way I do it. 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. me getting the opportunity to have an outlet to share that type of pain. 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.". 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. Just be you. It's amazing to me that on Season 15, its the first time that we're hearing somebody of spoken word. But when 27-year-old Stockton poet, educator, and new father Brandon Leake performed in the final slot of this weeks AGT episode, he made up for that. 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. Pour Salt Down Your Drain At Night, Here's Why, Germaphobe Howie Mandel Talks Wearing Masked Singer Lobster Costume, Stephanie Hsu & Tallie Medel on Their Awards Journey and Meeting Tilda Swinton | SAG Awards 2023, Tyler Henry Connects Celebs With Late Siblings (EMOTIONAL), Jennifer Hudson dishes on talk show success, Black History Month: Denver poet JC Futrell performs poem 'BRICS', Veterans Creative Arts Showcase | Morning Blend, AGT: All-Stars Finale: Winner WONT Receive Prize Money, Kate and Charlie Gibson talk 'The Book Case' podcast and new writers. - 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. This is a very difficult thing to me to judge. NBC Insider: How did you discover spoken-word poetry? What an amazing tribute. Leake, a former high school English teacher from Stockton, California, had welcomed his first child 14 days prior to shooting the tryout. 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. It was a testament to the time I had spent really owning and working on my craft. HOWIE MANDEL: You're amazing, buddy. 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. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. There's something very, very special about you. 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. He continued: "There is something very, very special about you. STOCKTON (CBS13) Putting yourself out there may not be easy, but sending a message that builds unity may be worth it. I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. Although the audience was missing, the talent was not. 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. For more Brandon Leake AGT content, check out this roundup of his best moments from the show. ", "Words seem to move people and myself more than anything, he's got everything," Mandel, 64, said of his Golden Buzzer winner. Brandon met his wife Anna at one of his shows in Stockton after she turned up with a mutual friend. "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. While you're trying to score tickets, take a walk down memory lane and catch every single one of Leake'sAGTperformances. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more! Mother was like a zombie. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. 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. 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. The Season 15 winner is the competition's first (and only) spoken-word poetry champion. He received enough votes to enter the Top 5 instead of Archie Williams. 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. I wanted to be with them, so I got a big house [in Miami, Florida] and we all lived together. ", "Lines like that are what build the bridge between me and another person, and who would have thought that poetry or spoken word could do that," said Leake. Leake, who is AGT's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. Published on July 1, 2020 11:34 AM. The poem touched every single Judge, but . What did getting the Golden Buzzer during your audition feel like? 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. 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. According to Parade, Rafael was fatally shot in an attempted kidnapping in 1998. I know what this is. / Good Day Sacramento. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends. Leake was the first spoken word poet to perform on the show. [2] first episode of Season 15 impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts, Sofia Vergara falls in her haste to get away from shocking eye-bulging rapper, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Brandon Leake is an African-American spoken word poet, educator, and motivational speaker. 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. Keep reading for 10 things you didn't know about America's Got Talent season 15 winner . On Tuesday, Vergara tweeted that the emotional performance was "a great way to end the night!!! Brandon was the first ever artist of his genre to feature on the show and has been awarded the $1,000,000 prize, as well as a headline slot at a show in Las Vegas. Following his victory just a year before, Leake returned to theAGTstage for a special guest performance during Season 16. There was really nowhere else to go. I am so grateful to be in this country. 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. Brandon posted on his Instagram after his AGT tribute to her: Love you booboo, I hope that gift will forever remain in your heart. Poets just have our local coffee shops. For the finale in Episode 1522, Brandon Leake performed a short spoken word piece prior to the results about Season 15. Brandon's final performance was an emotional spoken word piece about his new-born daughter. This is a very difficult thing for me to judge, I shouldnt be judging it. Spoiler alert! Since then, Leake has worked as an English teacher at Edison High School and an academic advisor at Delta College in Stockton. Brandon has performed in locations such as New Zealand, Mexico, Canada and 36 U.S. states for his Dark Side Tour, which promotes his first-ever published poetry chapbook and his album Deficiencies: A Tale From My Dark Side, which is rooted in transparency and healing. Leake tells his most personal stories to connect with others and inspire people far and wide. You are so amazing. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. Brandon Leake, 27, a community college counselor in Stockton, California, wowed the judges with an emotional performance of a poem that paid tribute to his late sister, who died as a baby. I wish he could've been here," Vergara said. God blessed me with really long arms, so I just put my phone outside the water and type. UTA Signs 'America's Got Talent' Winner Brandon Leake. I shouldn't be judging it, I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary.". What I more so thought about was, I felt vindicated from all the people who said spoken-word could never be a mainstream art form. Brandon blew away judge Howie Mandel in particular after he performed a piece about the loss of his sister. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. 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. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. Most of us don't often walk in other people's shoes. 'America's Got Talent' Winners: Where Are They Now? She did this really sweet poem about her relationship with Jesus. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays (8 p.m. He's a young man from Stockton who's transcending boundaries and breaking down barriers for generations to come. 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.. In his performance, Leake recalled the death of his sister in the late 90s, and his grief in the wake of her passing. I need you to return home my Pookie, to be your mom.' Act Let's find out#GoldenBuzzer #BrandonLeake . "Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister. On Tuesday's episode of the competition series, 27-year-old Brandon Leake took . With the help of four other spoken word poets, he delivered a piece about his hometown of Stockton, California. The dynamic Terry Crews returns as host. Brandon Leake's Quarterfinals performance in Episode 1515 consisted of reciting a spoken word poem about mother love and racial injustice. 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