2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. He received a standing ovation from Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Mandel. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. I bring more about life-experience things that everyday people go through. And once Simon heard Brandon speak, he understood where Brandons childhood anger was coming from and, like Howie, he was totally convinced. Brandon returned as a guest performer in Episode 1610 performing a spoken word piece about his hometown of Stockton. 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. "There was something more, so raw. 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 just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary, said a quieted Simon. Brandon Leake is an award-winning spoken word poet, artistic educator and motivational speaker from . For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. "And here we are.". 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. 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But it was his first time, I believe, being moved by it the way I do it. Following his victory just a year before, Leake returned to theAGTstage for a special guest performance during Season 16. Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. Everybody has to hear it. Photo: Trae Patton/NBC. I shouldn't be judging it. SIMON COWELL: What an amazing tribute. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. 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. Never the same and never replicated. And then I just keep my shoulders from getting wet. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. 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. UTA Signs 'America's Got Talent' Winner Brandon Leake. 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. Leake, who is AGT 's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. His sister passed away when he was only 4-years-old. 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. 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. Brandon Leake Brandon's final performance was an emotional spoken word piece about his new-born daughter. Mother was like a zombie. Brandon Leake is an award-winning spoken word poet, artistic educator and motivational speaker from Stockton, California. Your poems are so raw. Brandon Leake is an African-American spoken word poet, educator, and motivational speaker. Watch Brandon Leake's Audition on AGT:https://youtu.be/tdjIFkM-ohQWill Brandon become the next AGT winner?? NBC Insider: How did you discover spoken-word poetry? He finished ahead of Josh Blue but behind Kodi Lee, eliminating him from the competition. SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. Tune in next week, when the Americas Got Talent auditions once again, without a live audience conclude. Praise be the kingdom. Leake tells his most personal stories to connect with others and inspire people far and wide. 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. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The fourth and final slate of contestants performed in the live quarterfinal rounds of America's Got Talent. Brandon Leake's Quarterfinals performance in Episode 1515 consisted of reciting a spoken word poem about mother love and racial injustice. 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. "My older brother, Rafael, was killed in Colombia," she said. 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. 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. His parents are Tyrone and Carla Leake-Gibson. Sex Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Finals in Episode 1518 instead of Thomas Day. Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. Brandon Leake, AGT Season 15 winner: The journey started one of two ways. Just be you, both on and off stage. 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. 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 . Below, NBC Insider chats with Leake. 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. Surprising Cause Of Death Revealed For 37-Year-Old ABC News Producer. "I am going to show the world what a spoken-word poet can do.". 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. Gibson was only 8 months old. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. I gave her a hug afterwards and said, Hey, I didn't make it my first year, so keep trying. Brandon's daughter was born just 14 days before hisAGTaudition. 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. Just a raw heart beating in front of us. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. He received enough votes from the Superfans to enter the Top 3 of the night. I am so grateful to be in this country. He continued: "There is something very, very special about you. How were you able to reach a place where you can be so personal in your work? This is a very difficult thing for me to judge. On Tuesday, Vergara tweeted that the emotional performance was "a great way to end the night!!! I've been ground-bound because she left Earth to go back home, amongst the stars right next to God. March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM Never give up on this dream. I could tell my producer, it wasn't the first time he had heard spoken-word. For the finale in Episode 1522, Brandon Leake performed a short spoken word piece prior to the results about Season 15. "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. It was a testament to the time I had spent really owning and working on my craft. On Tuesday's episode of the competition series, 27-year-old Brandon Leake took . I shouldn't be judging it, I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary.". Mandel hit the Golden Buzzer as just five pairs of hands clapped, sendingLeake straight to the live final shows. Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. And I'm like, Sweet, let's do this.. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. 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. Don't go out there trying to be somebody else. ", "Words seem to move people and myself more than anything, he's got everything," Mandel, 64, said of his Golden Buzzer winner. Although the audience was missing, the talent was not. We feel your pain. 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. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. ", Klum also said Cowell has been "healing pretty fast," adding, "I think he's doing amazingly.". 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. KYLIE MAR: But Howie Mandel was most moved by Brandon's audition, as the judge ultimately decided to give him his Golden Buzzer. 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. The poem touched every single Judge, but particularly Howie Mandel, who awarded Leake with a Golden Buzzer. I shouldn't be judging it. Since then, Leake has worked as an English teacher at Edison High School and an academic advisor at Delta College in Stockton. SOFIA VERGARA: Yeah. "I can feel your pain. She was going to watch this live on TV tonight.". It's either love or pain, one of the two. 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. While you're trying to score tickets, take a walk down memory lane and catch every single one of Leake'sAGTperformances. Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Semifinals in Episode 1516 instead of CA Wildcats and Divas & Drummers of Compton. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. He realised his talent and decided to do a US solo tour, performing his poetry in 12 states over 40 showss. Singers can go to, I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. I wish he could've been here," Vergara said. 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. God blessed me with really long arms, so I just put my phone outside the water and type. Dancers have World of Dance and all these other places. Below, NBC Insider chats with Leake about his experience on AGT, where he writes his best poems, and more. Stream now on Peacock.ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! STOCKTON (CBS13) Putting yourself out there may not be easy, but sending a message that builds unity may be worth it. After the show, Mandel spoke with PEOPLE and praised Leake on the "imperative and important" message of his poem. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. Are you close to your sister? asked Howie. 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. Singers can go to The Voice, as well as America's Got Talent. After reciting his incredibly moving poem, Brandon got a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel, while Sofia looked visibly stunned. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Klum, Vergara and Mandel have all spoken to PEOPLE about Cowell's recovery. What surprised you most about your AGT experience? "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. ", Mandel added, "I asked Brandon if his mother had heard this and he said no. "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. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell all gave him standing ovations. "Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister. The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's . Cowell called his act an "amazing tribute." [2] His words captured the judges and drew a standing ovation. There's something very, very special about you. After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. Age (at audition) ", RELATED VIDEO: Sofia Vergara Says She and Husband Joe Manganiello 'Haven't Had 1 Fight Yet' During Quarantine. We feel your love and you moved me to do this.". You don't have to be this hardened individual who steps in there and does this crazy competitive work. 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. 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. Or maybe it was simply due to they hue and in that moment I better understand my Black mother's greatest fear was every time I left her home, on the other side of her phone would no longer be her son, it would be America's most popular hashtag," the father of one said. 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. . 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 just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary.". 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. But, there is something so different about Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake and the countless others," Leake said. Exclusive: How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. 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. And even in this very direct competition, we were all still rooting for each other. ET on NBC. When or if Cowell, 60, will return has yet to be determined. Last week on'AGT': Sofia Vergara falls in her haste to get away from shocking eye-bulging rapper. I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. - 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. But if this pain and these memories are all that I got left of you, I won't never regret these scars. 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. "America's Got Talent" headed into uncharted territory Tuesday. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," an emotional Vergara said. 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. "I did all of this just to give you that. Brandon Leake is a poet from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. What did getting the Golden Buzzer during your audition feel like? AGT Season 17 premieres Tuesday, May 31 at 8 p.m. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing.". Watch thousands of hours of hit movies and shows, plus daily news, sports, and pop culture updates. What was that experience like? "This is what an audition is actually like," Cowell said. "America, sit quietly, listen and take it in.". By McKenzie. The same way the Latino woman from Florida can relate to a young black kid from Cali," said Leake. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. 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. He also . She fell asleep and just didn't wake up," Leake told CBS13. 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