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. Stream now on Peacock.ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! "And here we are.". I've been ground-bound because she left Earth to go back home, amongst the stars right next to God. TERRY CREWS: You have received the Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel. Last week on'AGT': Sofia Vergara falls in her haste to get away from shocking eye-bulging rapper. She did this really sweet poem about her relationship with Jesus. The poem touched every single Judge, but particularly Howie Mandel, who awarded Leake with a Golden Buzzer. His parents are Tyrone and Carla Leake-Gibson. HOWIE MANDEL: You're amazing, buddy. 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. Tonight's poem is actually an ode to my sister, Brandon explained. 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. I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. Table of Biography [ show] Early Life Brandon Leake was born on May 4, 1992. 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. 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Brandon Leake is the winner of the 15th season of America's Got Talent. Relive all of Brandon's full performances from the season. Get The America's. Your poems are so raw. BRANDON LEAKE: I know I said earlier to hold on to love loosely so when it leaves, it won't exit so painfully. 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 He went on to study at Simpson University in Redding, where as well as writing poetry, he played basketball onSimpson'sNCAA Division II team. Brandon met his biological father for the very first time on August 31, 2017 and he married Anna on September 2, 2017. We feel your pain. This story contains details from the June 30 episode of "America's Got Talent.". 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. Sex It was a testament to the time I had spent really owning and working on my craft. Brandon Leake is an African-American spoken word poet, educator, and motivational speaker. I know what it is to have somebodytaken from you without you knowing, but it was very beautiful for me.". For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. In my early stages of doing spoken-word, there might've been five, 10 people in the crowd, but theres a level of professionalism you have to have. Brandon had explained that he had a fourteen-day old daughter and a sister whom he loved very much. But instead of giving up, he went back to the drawing board, honed his craft, and tried again three years later stronger than ever. 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. 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. Singers can go to, I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary.". 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. Brandon posted on his Instagram after his AGT tribute to her: Love you booboo, I hope that gift will forever remain in your heart. Incredibly, in all of its 15 seasons, Americas Got Talent has never had a spoken-word contestant. The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's . Just be you. STOCKTON (CBS13) Putting yourself out there may not be easy, but sending a message that builds unity may be worth it. I could finally say spoken-word has a place in this artistry world. Like, How about I trade my six feet for yours? But that's not real. Brandons vulnerable words resonated throughout the empty venue in an AGT first, no live audience was present, due to coronavirus concerns. You give the same effort of performance and excellence for 10 people as you do for 10,000. Anna posted on her Instagram celebrating 3 years with her hubby. 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. But, there is something so different about Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake and the countless others," Leake said. Spoiler alert! The audition greatly resonated with Vergara, 47, at the judges' panel. Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. KYLIE MAR: And in an "AGT" first, no live audience was present due to coronavirus concerns. 27-year-old Brandon Leake is a spoken word poet and motivational speaker. Watch Brandon Leake's Audition on AGT:https://youtu.be/tdjIFkM-ohQWill Brandon become the next AGT winner?? Let's find out#GoldenBuzzer #BrandonLeake . 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 trying to be somebody else. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. At present, he is 30 years old and his sun sign is Taurus. I know what this is. SIMON COWELL: Really-- this is a very difficult thing for me to judge. NBC Insider: How did you discover spoken-word poetry? I handicapped myself for years because I was too concerned with how people looked at me, how people perceived me. Exclusive: How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. One of the best days of Brandon's life was when his sister, Danielle Marie Gibson, was born. 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. "My older brother, Rafael, was killed in Colombia," she said. "There's something very, very special about you. 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. He will be part of the AGT Live residency and has a movie in the works. Congratulations to Brandon Leake for WINNING Season 15 of America's Got Talent! And I'm tired of playing God, because Ive got to come to terms with the fact that my sister ain't never coming back. Brandon Leake's AGT Golden Buzzer Audition. God blessed me with really long arms, so I just put my phone outside the water and type. 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 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. "She's here with me now," he said of Danielle Marie Gibson, who died in 1997 at only 8 months old. You don't have to be this hardened individual who steps in there and does this crazy competitive work. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. 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. "We are the storytellers of the generation, we are the griots of our time. 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. I'm still haunted by these nightmares because I have a really creative mind. "It's amazing to me that on Season 15, it's the first time that we're hearing somebody of spoken word," Mandel said. Keep reading for 10 things you didn't know about America's Got Talent season 15 winner . 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. After reciting his incredibly moving poem, Brandon got a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel, while Sofia looked visibly stunned. 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, Do you have any advice for the Acts competing on, this roundup of his best moments from the show. Brandon Leakeisa poet from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. 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. "There was something more, so raw. 'America's Got Talent' Winners: Where Are They Now? He continued: "There is something very, very special about you. His words captured the judges and drew a standing ovation. I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary. The only consistent thing about my writing is I write best in the shower. For myself, it was like, this is my time. What made you decide to audition for America's Got Talent? On Tuesday, Vergara tweeted that the emotional performance was "a great way to end the night!!! 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. 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 myselfto just be OK with being like, Let me, for lack of a better term, look like a dumbass on stage. You have to give yourself permission to cryto do theater, in a sense. 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. Everybody else is pretty much irrelevant. He received enough votes from the Superfans to enter the Top 3 of the night. 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. "Still alive, and all the things I wish we could have done are played again and again and again," he continued. "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. "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.". Brandon Leake, the spoken-word poet who won the 2020 edition of America's Got Talent, has signed with UTA for all areas. 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. Dancers have World of Dance and all these other places. He received enough votes to enter the Top 5 instead of Archie Williams. 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 Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. It doesn't take away from me. 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. Were you the first poet that producers had seen? 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. It's either love or pain, one of the two. This is a very difficult thing for me to judge, I shouldnt be judging it. SIMON COWELL: What an amazing tribute. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. Tune in next week, when the Americas Got Talent auditions once again, without a live audience conclude. : How did you discover spoken-word poetry? This is a very difficult thing for me to judge. Photo: Trae Patton/NBC. "America's Got Talent" headed into uncharted territory Tuesday. There was another poet who was trying out with me. And even in this very direct competition, we were all still rooting for each other. There's something very, very special about you. It's my opportunity. Exclusive:How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. This pursuit led to Brandon leading workshops around the world with several curricula he developed himself. "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. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," an emotional Vergara said. ET on NBC. 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.. Male 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. There was really nowhere else to go. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. What did getting the Golden Buzzer during your audition feel like? Leake says his overall goal is to spread a message that creates a more loving and gracious society. S15NBC Leake was born into a single parent home with his mother, Carla on the south side of Stockton, California. It's either love or pain, one of the two. Brandon Leake's auditionin Episode 1506 consisted of recitinga spoken word poem about his late sister. 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 met his wife Anna at one of his shows in Stockton after she turned up with a mutual friend. A Poet Makes Golden Buzzer History On 'America's Got Talent' . After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. 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'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. The same way the Latino woman from Florida can relate to a young black kid from Cali," said Leake. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. 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. Leake was the first-ever spoken word poet to win America's Got Talent. 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. Seasons We feel your pain, we feel your love.". Wildcats, singer Celina, Divas & Drummers of Compton, singer Kenadi Dodds, projection artists Lightwave Theatre Company and dancer Noah Epps. "This is what an audition is actually like," Cowell said. 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. Until Leake, 27, burst onto the scene in June with an emotional poem dedicated to his sister, who died as a baby, a spoken-word artist had never even appeared on the show, let alone captivate. Moved by his performance, Howie Mandel pressed his Golden Buzzer, sending Brandon directly to the Quarterfinals. In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. [2] His daughter, now 6 months old, is named Aaliyah, but her dad calls her "booboo". Surprising Cause Of Death Revealed For 37-Year-Old ABC News Producer. Most of us don't often walk in other people's shoes. I'm just trying to hold onto you. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays (8 p.m. "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. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. Howie and Heidi are amazing, but he's the boss! First published on March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. She fell asleep and just didn't wake up," Leake told CBS13. 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. "From the person who lives in Wyoming in a farm town who can relate to a city kid from Stockton, California. In his performance, Leake recalled the death of his sister in the late 90s, and his grief in the wake of her passing. 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. Poets just have our local coffee shops. It's amazing to me that on Season 15, its the first time that we're hearing somebody of spoken word. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16, Golden Buzzer Brandon Leake Makes AGT History With Powerful Poetry - America's Got Talent 2020. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. "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 applauded Leake'screativity and vulnerability. "And we won. Very much she's here with me now, Brandon answered. ET) on NBC. 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. 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. ET) on NBC. I shouldn't be judging it. Burt Bacharach, Legendary Composer Of Pop Songs, Dies At 94 . ), "It's been great to have all those guest judges, but I do miss Simon. Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. me getting the opportunity to have an outlet to share that type of pain. 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. Leake tells his most personal stories to connect with others and inspire people far and wide. ", Mandel added, "I asked Brandon if his mother had heard this and he said no. Just be you, both on and off stage. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. The Modern Family actress then said that Leake's poem reminded her of her late brother. "This is going to be much harder for them.". Never give up on this dream. I could tell my producer, it wasn't the first time he had heard spoken-word. Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Semifinals in Episode 1516 instead of CA Wildcats and Divas & Drummers of Compton. 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.". Praise be the kingdom. 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. 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. Leake, who is AGT 's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. You also don't have to be this overly enthusiastic person who's chasing after everybody's attention. America's Got Talent Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. If you don't understand it and you're not moved by it, then you're not a human being. We feel your pain. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. To let it all hang loose on stage and leave nothing behind. 15, All-Stars 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. Don't go out there chasing anybody else. She's here with me now," Leake said, leading Mandel to ask if shewas backstage. I know what this is. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. Howie Mandel gave him a standing ovation. "I'm tired of playing God 'cause I gotta come to terms with the fact that my sister ain't never comin' back.". NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. 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. We are the ones who, as I said, capture history. 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. 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. Cowell called his act an "amazing tribute." Leake, who is AGT's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. "America, sit quietly, listen and take it in.". She died from an enlarged heart at only eight-months-old. "I'll say in the moment of doing it on the national stage, it wasn't immensely difficult due to the years of practice beforehand," said Leake. Following his victory just a year before, Leake returned to theAGTstage for a special guest performance during Season 16. : The journey started one of two ways. 27; 30 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. UTA Signs 'America's Got Talent' Winner Brandon Leake.
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