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. We feel your love and you moved me to do this.". Act The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. - America's Got Talent 2020https://youtu.be/SaPXcg7lLfgAmerica's Got Talenthttp://www.youtube.com/user/americasgottalent#AGT #AmericasGotTalent Since then, Leake has worked as an English teacher at Edison High School and an academic advisor at Delta College in Stockton. "Normally death don't really bother me, I'm from southside Stockton. 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 dynamic Terry Crews returns as host. 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. Just a raw heart beating in front of us. 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"My older brother, Rafael, was killed in Colombia," she said. Male 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. S15NBC Poet 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. Brandon Leake, a 27-year-old college counselor from Stockton, California, shocked the judges with . You just have to take a deep breath and keep on going if not for yourself, then for everybody you love.". Seasons "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. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. Brandon Leake, the spoken-word poet who won the 2020 edition of America's Got Talent, has signed with UTA for all areas. I know what this is. With the show open to acts of all ages, \"America's Got Talent\" continues to celebrate the variety format like no other show on television. I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary. "Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister. "There was something more raw in the way it's like singing and talking and just being a human a cappella. SIMON COWELL: Really-- this is a very difficult thing for me to judge. Leake was the first-ever spoken word poet to win America's Got Talent. He received enough votes to enter the Top 5 instead of Archie Williams. His sister passed away when he was only 4-years-old. I know what this is. Leake actually didn't make it to the AGT stage when he first auditioned back in 2017. 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. It doesn't take away from me. The then 4-year-old adored being a big brother and couldn't wait for all the fun they'd have together. "She was sitting in the car next to me as we were going to pick up my grandpa. We feel your love. Brandons audition wasnt Tuesdays only emotional moment. There was really nowhere else to go. KYLIE MAR: And in an "AGT" first, no live audience was present due to coronavirus concerns. KYLIE MAR: But Howie Mandel was most moved by Brandon's audition, as the judge ultimately decided to give him his Golden Buzzer. We feel your pain. Brandon Leake's ode to his sister turned an audience-free "AGT" into a night to remember. "It's amazing to me that on Season 15, it's the first time that we're hearing somebody of spoken word," Mandel said. ", Mandel added, "I asked Brandon if his mother had heard this and he said no. Mother was like a zombie. It's the time that I don't have anybody pulling on me. Were you the first poet that producers had seen? But it was his first time, I believe, being moved by it the way I do it. 27-year-old Brandon Leake is a spoken word poet and motivational speaker. And even in this very direct competition, we were all still rooting for each other. I'm still haunted by these nightmares because I have a really creative mind. 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. Winner, Preliminaries The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. She died from an enlarged heart at only eight-months-old. What was that experience like? And season 15 will conclude on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23, when a winner will be crowned during the scheduled finale. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. me getting the opportunity to have an outlet to share that type of pain. 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I gave her a hug afterwards and said, Hey, I didn't make it my first year, so keep trying. We are the ones who, as I said, capture history. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. 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. Don't go out there trying to be somebody else. Everybody else is pretty much irrelevant. No music, no nothing, just a raw heart beating in front of us. ", "Words seem to move people and myself more than anything, he's got everything," Mandel, 64, said of his Golden Buzzer winner. Leake, a former high school English teacher from Stockton, California, had welcomed his first child 14 days prior to shooting the tryout. "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. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends. 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 The new dad moved the. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. He went on to study at Simpson University in Redding, where as well as writing poetry, he played basketball onSimpson'sNCAA Division II team. All four judges were never present every time Brandon performed. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. "It is not our most dire moments that define us, but instead how we respond to them. All-Stars Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. "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. She fell asleep and just didn't wake up," Leake told CBS13. He will be part of the AGT Live residency and has a movie in the works. First published on March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM. He received a standing ovation from Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Mandel. I'm just trying to hold onto you. Creative writing most certainly was an escape. Judge Simon Cowell was skeptical at first, telling Brandon, I don't really understand poetry, but Brandon assured him, I'm a great intro for you. On the following Wednesdays, (which will feature celebrity musical acts including BTS on Sept. 16), the finalists will be announced. Since the show gave him a platform to share his skill with the world, he has become a household name across the country. SIMON COWELL: What an amazing tribute. 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. Danielle's presence was definitely felt. After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. I shouldn't be judging it, I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary.". America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays (8 p.m. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. Last week on'AGT': Sofia Vergara falls in her haste to get away from shocking eye-bulging rapper. Leake was born into a single parent home with his mother, Carla on the south side of Stockton, California. Spoiler alert! It's my opportunity. ), "It's been great to have all those guest judges, but I do miss Simon. I am so grateful to be in this country. Are you close to your sister? asked Howie. ", Klum also said Cowell has been "healing pretty fast," adding, "I think he's doing amazingly.". Congratulations to Brandon Leake for WINNING Season 15 of America's Got Talent! UTA Signs 'America's Got Talent' Winner Brandon Leake. HOWIE MANDEL: You're amazing, buddy. It's amazing to me that on Season 15, its the first time that we're hearing somebody of spoken word. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. He finished ahead of Josh Blue but behind Kodi Lee, eliminating him from the competition. 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. 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. Surprising Cause Of Death Revealed For 37-Year-Old ABC News Producer. There's really no other place to find a mainstream home. But I was left here to manufacture wings out of tears and broken dreams, Brandon rapped. Brandon blew away judge Howie Mandel in particular after he performed a piece about the loss of his sister. I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary, said a quieted Simon. 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. But, there is something so different about Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake and the countless others," Leake said. 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. Singers can go to, I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. A Poet Makes Golden Buzzer History On 'America's Got Talent' . 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. 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. Poets just have our local coffee shops. It's just me and my thoughts. The Modern Family actress then said that Leake's poem reminded her of her late brother. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," she said. SOFIA VERGARA: My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away. Leake, who is AGT's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. "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. It was a testament to the time I had spent really owning and working on my craft. Tune in next week, when the Americas Got Talent auditions once again, without a live audience conclude. 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. SOFIA VERGARA: Yeah. "I can feel your pain. I wish he could've been here," Vergara said. The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's . ", She added at the time: "With so many bad things happening, it creates a tough skin. 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. The reason I became so much better was actually 'cause I failed making the show the first time. All of the judges and Crews have now used their Golden Buzzers. Brandon's daughter was born just 14 days before hisAGTaudition. 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'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. 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 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. 15, All-Stars You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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