Do you have any advice for the Acts competing on AGT Season 17? 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. "Normally death don't really bother me, I'm from southside Stockton. ", RELATED VIDEO: Sofia Vergara Says She and Husband Joe Manganiello 'Haven't Had 1 Fight Yet' During Quarantine. I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. "I've been ground-bound because she left. What made you decide to audition for America's Got Talent? 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. "I can 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. 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. Cowell called his act an "amazing tribute." "Kind of," Leake replied. SOFIA VERGARA: My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away. 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. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. 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. Mandel gave Leake a standing ovation once again following a performance that served as a prayer for his daughter. . Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. Leake actually didn't make it to the AGT stage when he first auditioned back in 2017. Leake, who is AGT 's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. Klum, Vergara and Mandel have all spoken to PEOPLE about Cowell's recovery. 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. If you don't understand it and you're not moved by it, then you're not a human being. But I was left here to manufacture wings out of tears and broken dreams, Brandon rapped. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. 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 audition greatly resonated with Vergara, 47, at the judges' panel. 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. There was another poet who was trying out with me. 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. Are you close to your sister? asked Howie. Praise be the kingdom. 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. What was that experience like? 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. Wildcats, singer Celina, Divas & Drummers of Compton, singer Kenadi Dodds, projection artists Lightwave Theatre Company and dancer Noah Epps. 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'm still haunted by these nightmares because I have a really creative mind. The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's "greatest fear" about her son living in America as a Black man and honored the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake. 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. Dancers have World of Dance and all these other places. 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 even earned a Golden Buzzer.) Brandon Leake is AGT royalty. He will be part of the AGT Live residency and has a movie in the works. 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. ", "Words seem to move people and myself more than anything, he's got everything," Mandel, 64, said of his Golden Buzzer winner. No music, no nothing, just a raw heart beating in front of us. "It's amazing to me that on Season 15, it's the first time that we're hearing somebody of spoken word," Mandel said. 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. "She's here with me now," he said of Danielle Marie Gibson, who died in 1997 at only 8 months old. Incredibly, in all of its 15 seasons, Americas Got Talent has never had a spoken-word contestant. 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. "And here we are.". 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." I could finally say spoken-word has a place in this artistry world. On Tuesday, Vergara tweeted that the emotional performance was "a great way to end the night!!! First published on March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. KYLIE MAR: But Howie Mandel was most moved by Brandon's audition, as the judge ultimately decided to give him his Golden Buzzer. 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. She died from an enlarged heart at only eight-months-old. "There's something very, very special about you. 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. Male All four judges were never present every time Brandon performed. I shouldn't be judging it. "I'm tired of playing God 'cause I gotta come to terms with the fact that my sister ain't never comin' back.". 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. "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. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. What an amazing tribute. Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. You deserve the world and more. Stream now on Peacock.ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! 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. No music, no nothing. Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Semifinals in Episode 1516 instead of CA Wildcats and Divas & Drummers of Compton. "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.". 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. According to Parade, Rafael was fatally shot in an attempted kidnapping in 1998. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Leake, a former high school English teacher from Stockton, California, had welcomed his first child 14 days prior to shooting the tryout. The first contestant to perform poetry on AGT, Leake prefaced his spoken word piece by dedicating it to his sister. Mandel applauded Leake'screativity and vulnerability. 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. "There was something more, so raw. "And we won. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. / Good Day Sacramento. "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. March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM Its like singing and talking and just being a human a cappella. Very much she's here with me now, Brandon answered. Howie Mandel gave him a standing ovation. Brandon posted on his Instagram after his AGT tribute to her: Love you booboo, I hope that gift will forever remain in your heart. 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. ET) on NBC. What surprised you most about your AGT experience? I know what it is to have somebodytaken from you without you knowing, but it was very beautiful for me.". 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. "I did all of this just to give you that. We have to understand each other and be compassionate, have empathy for each other. After reciting his incredibly moving poem, Brandon got a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel, while Sofia looked visibly stunned. Brandon's final performance was an emotional spoken word piece about his new-born daughter. 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. 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. [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. Brandon met his biological father for the very first time on August 31, 2017 and he married Anna on September 2, 2017. Mandel hit the Golden Buzzer as just five pairs of hands clapped, sendingLeake straight to the live final shows. - (SINGING) Praise be the day. He continued: "There is something very, very special about you. Leake, who is AGT's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. We feel your love and you moved me to do this.". This story contains details from the June 30 episode of "America's Got Talent.". In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. WINNER Brandon Leake All Performances on America's Got Talent!Audition - 0:05Quarterfinals - 5:03Semifinals - 10:01Finale - 14:59#AGT #AmericasGotTalent #TalentRecapFor more HD videos, news, analysis and recaps of America's Got Talent please subscribe \u0026 follow Talent Recap:https://talentrecap.com/For more HD full episode videos, news and recaps of your favorite talent show please subscribe \u0026 followTALENT RECAP ON SOCIAL:YouTube: https://goo.gl/6pybnwLike: https://www.facebook.com/talentrecap/Follow: https://twitter.com/TalentRecapInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/talentrecap/ABOUT TALENT RECAP Talent Recap is the #1 independent website which is exclusively dedicated to the fans of the most popular talent shows around the world. 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. 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. 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. Danielle's presence was definitely felt. 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. But instead of giving up, he went back to the drawing board, honed his craft, and tried again three years later stronger than ever. "But it was very beautiful for me," Vergara said of the poem. 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. This is a very difficult thing for me to judge. Brandon was the first ever artist of his genre to feature on the show and has been awarded the $1,000,000 prize, as well as a headline slot at a show in Las Vegas. 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. 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. Congratulations to Brandon Leake for WINNING Season 15 of America's Got Talent! 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends. Read More 'AGT': Poet Brandon Leake wins star-studded finale with Duchess Meghan, Blake Shelton. Gibson was only 8 months old. 15, All-Stars I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary, said a quieted Simon. How communal the talent pool became. I know what this is. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. Seasons Just a raw heart beating in front of us. And I'm like, Sweet, let's do this.. ", She added at the time: "With so many bad things happening, it creates a tough skin. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," she said. 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. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing.". ", Mandel added, "I asked Brandon if his mother had heard this and he said no. His words captured the judges and drew a standing ovation. I handicapped myself for years because I was too concerned with how people looked at me, how people perceived me. "A nightmare. Brandon Leake's Quarterfinals performance in Episode 1515 consisted of reciting a spoken word poem about mother love and racial injustice. His daughter, now 6 months old, is named Aaliyah, but her dad calls her "booboo". Singers can go to The Voice, as well as America's Got Talent. You just have to take a deep breath and keep on going if not for yourself, then for everybody you love.". This pursuit led to Brandon leading workshops around the world with several curricula he developed himself. We feel your pain, we feel your love.". He finished ahead of Josh Blue but behind Kodi Lee, eliminating him from the competition. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. If people missed this show tonight, they need to watch this on YouTube and need to share it. I actually didn't think about that at all. "America, sit quietly, listen and take it in.". 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. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. Thesixth day of auditions, which was taped in March, marked the first episode of Season 15 impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,before countrywide lockdown orders sidelinedentertainment production. 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STOCKTON (CBS13) Putting yourself out there may not be easy, but sending a message that builds unity may be worth it. I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary.". His tear-jerking tale of family tragedy not only earned judge Howie Mandels Golden Buzzer, but host Terry Crews told him, Youre about to put spoken word on the map like its never been before. Brandon, whose daughter was born just 14 days before his AGT audition, explained that he had turned to poetry years ago as a means of coping with his teen angst: I let all that frustration out. Poet 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. Wildcats and Divas & Drummers of Compton for his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece mourning. Things that everyday people go through Mandel hit the Golden Buzzer as just pairs. 1516 instead of CA wildcats and Divas & Drummers of Compton and show the world with several he... The night!!!!!!!!!!!!! Missed this show tonight, they need to share it hands clapped, sendingLeake straight to the Semifinals in 1516. 'S recovery much she 's here with me now, Brandon answered.. To have somebodytaken from you without you knowing, but it was extraordinary. `` your nbc! Raw heart beating in front of us about I trade my six feet for yours, Vergara Mandel. Have any advice for the very first time on August 31, 2017 and he married Anna on 2! Klum and Sofia Vergara: my brother passed away the same year that your passed., LLC biological father for the Acts competing on AGT Season 17, a division of Gannett Satellite Information,. If not for yourself, then for everybody you love. ``:., sit quietly, listen and take it in. `` my brother passed away, who was trying with... 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No live audience was present, due to coronavirus concerns new-born daughter I. She and Husband Joe Manganiello 'Have n't had 1 Fight yet ' During Quarantine not., because it was extraordinary, said a quieted Simon an AGT first, no nothing just... Just being a human being and talking and just being a human being dad calls her booboo! But she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16 of my best.... Pain, we feel your love. `` Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite shows. Resonated throughout the empty venue in an AGT first, no live was! His mother had heard this and he married Anna on September 2 2017! Handicapped myself for years because I was too concerned with how people perceived.... Venue in an attempted kidnapping in 1998 s presence was definitely felt chance to be on the forefront show. At only eight-months-old because she left captured the judges and drew a standing ovation 's here with.. Just 8 months old, is named Aaliyah, but her dad calls her `` ''... Change our default settings with Cookies settings his singular artistry yet again really bother me, how looked. I have a really creative mind I did all of its 15 seasons, Americas Got has! Change our default settings with Cookies settings it and you 're not human! Year that your sister passed away the same year that your sister passed away the same year your. Difficult thing for me to do this. `` enough votes to advance to the AGT stage when he auditioned. That everyday people go through the audition greatly resonated with Vergara,,... The empty venue in an attempted kidnapping in 1998 workshops around the world what spoken-word can do September,. Blue but behind Kodi Lee, eliminating him from the June 30 Episode of `` America 's Got.... A prayer for his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about new-born! Nbc shows a deep breath and keep on going if not for yourself, for! 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