This pursuit led to Brandon leading workshops around the world with several curricula he developed himself. SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. ET on NBC. 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. She was going to watch this live on TV tonight.". On the following Wednesdays, (which will feature celebrity musical acts including BTS on Sept. 16), the finalists will be announced. Below, NBC Insider chats with Leake. Danielle's presence was definitely felt. 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. Congratulations to Brandon Leake for WINNING Season 15 of America's Got Talent! Watch Brandon Leake's Audition on AGT:https://youtu.be/tdjIFkM-ohQWill Brandon become the next AGT winner?? Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. SOFIA VERGARA: Yeah. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. And then I just keep my shoulders from getting wet. Just be you. It's my opportunity. I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary. 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. His parents are Tyrone and Carla Leake-Gibson. "From the person who lives in Wyoming in a farm town who can relate to a city kid from Stockton, California. 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. "Kind of," Leake replied. 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. It was a testament to the time I had spent really owning and working on my craft. "Still alive, and all the things I wish we could have done are played again and again and again," he continued. I gave her a hug afterwards and said, Hey, I didn't make it my first year, so keep trying. She did this really sweet poem about her relationship with Jesus. 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. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. 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. Since then, Leake has worked as an English teacher at Edison High School and an academic advisor at Delta College in Stockton. "We are the storytellers of the generation, we are the griots of our time. Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel were back again without a guest judge or Simon Cowell, who broke his back on Aug. 8 at his Malibu, California, home when he fell off an electric bike. 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. Leake, a former high school English teacher from Stockton, California, had welcomed his first child 14 days prior to shooting the tryout. 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. For the finale in Episode 1522, Brandon Leake performed a short spoken word piece prior to the results about Season 15. Mandel applauded Leake'screativity and vulnerability. Leake was the first-ever spoken word poet to win America's Got Talent. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. "America's Got Talent" headed into uncharted territory Tuesday. Leake proceeded to vocalizethe painful processof mourning and accepting the death of his youngersister, Danielle Marie Gibson, who died in 1997, the same year Vergara lost her brother. You deserve the world and more. I'm just trying to hold onto you. We feel your love. Brandons audition wasnt Tuesdays only emotional moment. 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. Brandon met his biological father for the very first time on August 31, 2017 and he married Anna on September 2, 2017. How were you able to reach a place where you can be so personal in your work? Last week, a source told PEOPLE that "Simon's healing has been going well," and "he's recovering at home." Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. I'm still haunted by these nightmares because I have a really creative mind. The only consistent thing about my writing is I write best in the shower. "A nightmare. But, there is something so different about Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake and the countless others," Leake said. "Its amazing to me that on Season 15 its the first time were hearing spoken word," the comedian said. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. What did getting the Golden Buzzer during your audition feel like? / Good Day Sacramento. 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. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. 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. I've been ground-bound because she left Earth to go back home, amongst the stars right next to God. It's no exaggeration to say thatAmerica's Got Talentfans had never seen anyone like Brandon Leake. 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, a 27-year-old college counselor from Stockton, California, shocked the judges with . 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. But if this pain and these memories are all that I got left of you, I won't never regret these scars. In 2011, Vergara opened up about the death of her older brother Rafael in a Parade cover story, telling the magazine about how the tragedy affected her family members. Brandon Leake's AGT Golden Buzzer Audition. Says Host Terry Crews, 'AGT' 's Simon Cowell Remembers Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski as 'Extraordinary Person' After Her Death, 'AGT' Star Nightbirde Dead at 31 After Cancer Battle: 'We Love You,' Says Terry Crews, 'AGT' Star Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski's Family Is 'Devastated by Her Passing': 'Unimaginable Loss', 'AGT' : Simon Cowell on Nightbirde's Success After Her Exit, His 'Amazing' Frontrunner to Win Season 16, 'AGT' : All Season 16 Finalists Announced as Competition Narrows Down Lineup to 10 Acts. 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. When Howie asked if Brandons sister, Danielle (a girl with a smile as wide as the universe and eyes that glimmer like the stars), was backstage, Brandon just vaguely answered, Kind of. Danielles presence was definitely felt. The first contestant to perform poetry on AGT, Leake prefaced his spoken word piece by dedicating it to his sister. Its like singing and talking and just being a human a cappella. It doesn't take away from me. America's Got Talent Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. 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. Are you close to your sister? asked Howie. ", Klum also said Cowell has been "healing pretty fast," adding, "I think he's doing amazingly.". I know what this is. Surprising Cause Of Death Revealed For 37-Year-Old ABC News Producer. - America's Got Talent 2020https://youtu.be/SaPXcg7lLfgAmerica's Got Talenthttp://www.youtube.com/user/americasgottalent#AGT #AmericasGotTalent Season 15 For more Brandon Leake AGT content, check out this roundup of his best moments from the show. He received enough votes to enter the Top 5 instead of Archie Williams. KYLIE MAR: And in an "AGT" first, no live audience was present due to coronavirus concerns. I shouldn't be judging it, I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary.". Most of us don't often walk in other people's shoes. Do you have any advice for the Acts competing on AGT Season 17? "America's Got Talent" returns on NBCJuly 14 for the last audition show of the season. In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. He's a young man from Stockton who's transcending boundaries and breaking down barriers for generations to come. After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. You also don't have to be this overly enthusiastic person who's chasing after everybody's attention. 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. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," an emotional Vergara said. The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's . What surprised you most about your AGT experience? 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. "She was sitting in the car next to me as we were going to pick up my grandpa. Brandon's final performance was an emotional spoken word piece about his new-born daughter. Tears also flowed for singer Shevon Nieto, a two-time Olympic runner who quit training for her third Summer Games after her boyfriend Jamie, also an Olympic athlete, was paralyzed from the chest down in a 2016 high-jumping accident. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. 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.". I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary, said a quieted Simon. Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. There was another poet who was trying out with me. That's what felt really good: knowing I'd done so much work to get so much better, and that I was finally there. Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. 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. What made you decide to audition for America's Got Talent? I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary.". There's something very, very special about you. Just be you, both on and off stage. "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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. I am so grateful to be in this country. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. The audition greatly resonated with Vergara, 47, at the judges' panel. Brandon Leake is an award-winning spoken word poet, artistic educator and motivational speaker from Stockton, California. To let it all hang loose on stage and leave nothing behind. He finished ahead of Josh Blue but behind Kodi Lee, eliminating him from the competition. "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. 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. 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. 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. The then 4-year-old adored being a big brother and couldn't wait for all the fun they'd have together. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Gibson was only 8 months old. When "America's Got Talent" contestant Brandon Leake took the stage to render the first-ever poetry audition on the show, the judges did not know they were in for a stunning and tearjerking performance. A Poet Makes Golden Buzzer History On 'America's Got Talent' . However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. Mother was like a zombie. Brandon Leake is the winner of the 15th season of America's Got Talent. 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. Mandel gave Brandon his golden buzzer, and he went from strength to strength throughout the competition addressing topics such as the Black Lives Matter movement and his estranged father. 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. "I am going to show the world what a spoken-word poet can do.". 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. "Normally death don't really bother me, I'm from southside Stockton. The Season 15 winner is the competition's first (and only) spoken-word poetry champion. His daughter, now 6 months old, is named Aaliyah, but her dad calls her "booboo". Wildcats, singer Celina, Divas & Drummers of Compton, singer Kenadi Dodds, projection artists Lightwave Theatre Company and dancer Noah Epps. 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 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. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. Brandon Leake is AGT royalty. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends. 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.. Moved by his performance, Howie Mandel pressed his Golden Buzzer, sending Brandon directly to the Quarterfinals. "America, sit quietly, listen and take it in.". Opera Singer Shocks 'America's Got Talent' Judges with Cline Dion, Ariana Grande Impressions, 'America's Got Talent' 's Heidi Klum Says 'I Might Poop Myself' from Nerves About Season 17, Howie Mandel Calls His Golden Buzzer Act the 'Most Surprising, Jaw-Dropping Moment' He's Seen on 'AGT', 'AGT' Season 17 Starts Production: 'I Could Not Be Any More Excited,' Heidi Klum Says See First Look, 'AGT: Extreme' Crowns Season 1 Champion: 'He Deserves This!' Sex Leake was born into a single parent home with his mother, Carla on the south side of Stockton, California. If you don't understand it and you're not moved by it, then you're not a human being. 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. The Season 15 winner was the show's first-ever spoken word poet to compete. Very much she's here with me now, Brandon answered. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 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. We feel your pain. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing.". Were you the first poet that producers had seen? But while other auditioners of the episode, notably the magicians and comedians, suffered from not being able to play to a roaring crowd, the intimacy of this unique situation actually made Brandons performance all the more intense and impactful. Tune in next week, when the Americas Got Talent auditions once again, without a live audience conclude. [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. (He even earned a Golden Buzzer.) All four judges were never present every time Brandon performed. First published on March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM. - 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. One of the best days of Brandon's life was when his sister, Danielle Marie Gibson, was born. "This is what an audition is actually like," Cowell said. . After the show, Mandel spoke with PEOPLE and praised Leake on the "imperative and important" message of his poem. There's really no other place to find a mainstream home. It's either love or pain, one of the two. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. "I can feel your pain; I know what this is. Year after year, \"America's Got Talent\" features an impressive array of singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, magicians, ventriloquists and hopeful stars, all vying to win America's hearts and a $1 million prize.America's Got Talent is available now on Peacock, the new streaming service from NBCUniversal. S15NBC All-Stars It's the time that I don't have anybody pulling on me. Last week on'AGT': Sofia Vergara falls in her haste to get away from shocking eye-bulging rapper. Brandon's daughter was born just 14 days before hisAGTaudition. 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. I wish he could've been here," Vergara said. Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. I know what this is. Photo: Trae Patton/NBC. 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