Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. Following his victory just a year before, Leake returned to theAGTstage for a special guest performance during Season 16. Gibson was only 8 months old. "I've been ground-bound because she left. 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. Seasons 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. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. Brandon Leake's AGT Golden Buzzer Audition. It's no exaggeration to say thatAmerica's Got Talentfans had never seen anyone like Brandon Leake. Mandel gave Leake a standing ovation once again following a performance that served as a prayer for his daughter. [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. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell all gave him standing ovations. We feel your pain. 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'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 is AGT royalty. For the finale in Episode 1522, Brandon Leake performed a short spoken word piece prior to the results about Season 15. She died from an enlarged heart at only eight-months-old. Just be you. - 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. 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. Don't go out there chasing anybody else. "There's something very, very special about you. "But it was very beautiful for me," Vergara said of the poem. Never the same and never replicated. His daughter, now 6 months old, is named Aaliyah, but her dad calls her "booboo". When or if Cowell, 60, will return has yet to be determined. Just a raw heart beating in front of us. What made you decide to audition for America's Got Talent? ET) on NBC. Then, eight months later, Danielle passed away. 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 Leake, a former high school English teacher from Stockton, California, had welcomed his first child 14 days prior to shooting the tryout. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. I shouldn't be judging it. 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. While you're trying to score tickets, take a walk down memory lane and catch every single one of Leake'sAGTperformances. 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. 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. Surprising Cause Of Death Revealed For 37-Year-Old ABC News Producer. 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. You just have to take a deep breath and keep on going if not for yourself, then for everybody you love.". Just be you, both on and off stage. 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. "America's Got Talent" returns on NBCJuly 14 for the last audition show of the season. KYLIE MAR: Fans at home were crying, and even Simon Cowell, who was initially skeptical about Brandon's act, was impressed. Last week on'AGT': Sofia Vergara falls in her haste to get away from shocking eye-bulging rapper. 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. Brandon Leake is an award-winning spoken word poet, artistic educator and motivational speaker from Stockton, California. We'll be the voices that people look back and say this is what this era looked like," said Leake. In his performance, Leake recalled the death of his sister in the late 90s, and his grief in the wake of her passing. And then I just keep my shoulders from getting wet. Congratulations to Brandon Leake for WINNING Season 15 of America's Got Talent! 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. The poem touched every single Judge, but particularly Howie Mandel, who awarded Leake with a Golden Buzzer. I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary, said a quieted Simon. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more! Brandon Leake is an African-American spoken word poet, educator, and motivational speaker. Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. "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. "Its amazing to me that on Season 15 its the first time were hearing spoken word," the comedian said. The audition greatly resonated with Vergara, 47, at the judges' panel. Creator and Executive Producer Simon Cowell is back at the star-studded judges' table with fan-favorite comedian Howie Mandel. ", RELATED VIDEO: Sofia Vergara Says She and Husband Joe Manganiello 'Haven't Had 1 Fight Yet' During Quarantine. With the help of four other spoken word poets, he delivered a piece about his hometown of Stockton, California. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. Brandon Leake, AGT Season 15 winner: The journey started one of two ways. We feel your pain. I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. 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. Its like singing and talking and just being a human a cappella. "And here we are.". Brandon Leake's auditionin Episode 1506 consisted of recitinga spoken word poem about his late sister. ", "Words seem to move people and myself more than anything, he's got everything," Mandel, 64, said of his Golden Buzzer winner. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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. According to Parade, Rafael was fatally shot in an attempted kidnapping in 1998. 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. On Tuesday, America's Got Talent contestant and 27-year-old Calif. native Brandon Leake made history when he took the stage as the show's first-ever spoken word artist. 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. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. His sister passed away when he was only 4-years-old. 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. What did getting the Golden Buzzer during your audition feel like? If you don't understand it and you're not moved by it, then you're not a human being. It's just me and my thoughts. Poet And even in this very direct competition, we were all still rooting for each other. Stream now on Peacock.ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! "I can feel your pain. KYLIE MAR: And in an "AGT" first, no live audience was present due to coronavirus concerns. "It's amazing to me that on Season 15, it's the first time that we're hearing somebody of spoken word," Mandel said. No music, no nothing. On Tuesday's episode of the competition series, 27-year-old Brandon Leake took . The poem touched every single Judge, but . In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. There's really no other place to find a mainstream home. 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. 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. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. How were you able to reach a place where you can be so personal in your work? He also . But if this pain and these memories are all that I got left of you, I won't never regret these scars. "Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister. Leake tells his most personal stories to connect with others and inspire people far and wide. There's 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. 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. Read More 'AGT': Poet Brandon Leake wins star-studded finale with Duchess Meghan, Blake Shelton. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. One of the best days of Brandon's life was when his sister, Danielle Marie Gibson, was born. Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. 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 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. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Moved by his performance, Howie Mandel pressed his Golden Buzzer, sending Brandon directly to the Quarterfinals. Brandon Leake, the spoken-word poet who won the 2020 edition of America's Got Talent, has signed with UTA for all areas. It's either love or pain, one of the two. : How did you discover spoken-word poetry? Published on July 1, 2020 11:34 AM. Brandon's daughter was born just 14 days before hisAGTaudition. "Kind of," Leake replied. 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!' Anna posted on her Instagram celebrating 3 years with her hubby. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. Leake actually didn't make it to the AGT stage when he first auditioned back in 2017. Brandon Leakeisa poet from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. Leake, who is AGT's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. S15NBC He finished ahead of Josh Blue but behind Kodi Lee, eliminating him from the competition. 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. After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. SIMON COWELL: What an amazing tribute. Mandel applauded Leake'screativity and vulnerability. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. UTA Signs 'America's Got Talent' Winner Brandon Leake. NBC Insider: How did you discover spoken-word poetry? I shouldn't be judging it, I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary.". 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. First published on March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM. I could finally say spoken-word has a place in this artistry world. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends. Act He's a young man from Stockton who's transcending boundaries and breaking down barriers for generations to come. He is the first novelty act to win the competition. I can feel your pain. Brandon had explained that he had a fourteen-day old daughter and a sister whom he loved very much. Very much she's here with me now, Brandon answered. But I was left here to manufacture wings out of tears and broken dreams, Brandon rapped. 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." "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. All four judges were never present every time Brandon performed. "Still alive, and all the things I wish we could have done are played again and again and again," he continued. For myself, it was like, this is my time. Cowell called his act an "amazing tribute." I actually didn't think about that at all. Were you the first poet that producers had seen? 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. 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