"My older brother, Rafael, was killed in Colombia," she said. There were probably a lot of people who doubted that a poet could win, but Brandon is the real deal. Brandon Leake ", She added at the time: "With so many bad things happening, it creates a tough skin. 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. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. 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. In a poem used as an open letter to his father, Leake reflected on their years-long strained relationship and road to healing. Watch Brandon Leake's Audition on AGT:https://youtu.be/tdjIFkM-ohQWill Brandon become the next AGT winner?? After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. 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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. "This is going to be much harder for them.". WINNER Brandon Leake All Performances on America's Got Talent!Audition - 0:05Quarterfinals - 5:03Semifinals - 10:01Finale - 14:59#AGT #AmericasGotTalent #Tal. In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. Mandel applauded Leake'screativity and vulnerability. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more! "We are the storytellers of the generation, we are the griots of our time. It's the only consistent part of his process. Don't go out there trying to be somebody else. A Poet Makes Golden Buzzer History On '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. 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. 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. He continued: "There is something very, very special about you. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. 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. With the help of four other spoken word poets, he delivered a piece about his hometown of Stockton, California. Praise be the kingdom. I'm still haunted by these nightmares because I have a really creative mind. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends. BRANDON LEAKE: I know I said earlier to hold on to love loosely so when it leaves, it won't exit so painfully. 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. : The journey started one of two ways. I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary.". I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. It was a testament to the time I had spent really owning and working on my craft. 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." Klum, Vergara and Mandel have all spoken to PEOPLE about Cowell's recovery. 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. Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. It's my opportunity. That's what felt really good: knowing I'd done so much work to get so much better, and that I was finally there. 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. 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 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. 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. You just have to take a deep breath and keep on going if not for yourself, then for everybody you love.". If people missed this show tonight, they need to watch this on YouTube and need to share it. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. After the show, Mandel spoke with PEOPLE and praised Leake on the "imperative and important" message of his poem. "Still alive, and all the things I wish we could have done are played again and again and again," he continued. SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. Keep reading for 10 things you didn't know about America's Got Talent season 15 winner . Never give up on this dream. I could tell my producer, it wasn't the first time he had heard spoken-word. Mother was like a zombie. He's a young man from Stockton who's transcending boundaries and breaking down barriers for generations to come. 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.. Seasons 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 am so grateful to be in this country. 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. I just want to compliment you on what you just did because it was extraordinary. Do you have any advice for the Acts competing on AGT Season 17? "I am going to show the world what a spoken-word poet can do.". 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. Everybody has to hear it. 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 could finally say spoken-word has a place in this artistry world. This story contains details from the June 30 episode of "America's Got Talent.". The Modern Family actress then said that Leake's poem reminded her of her late brother. 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 ET) on NBC. 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. Published on July 1, 2020 11:34 AM. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. There's something very, very special about you. For the finale in Episode 1522, Brandon Leake performed a short spoken word piece prior to the results about Season 15. Brandon Leake, a 27-year-old college counselor from Stockton, California, shocked the judges with an emotionally poetic spoken-word performance, a first on the "AGT" stage. 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 chasing anybody else. Act "This is what an audition is actually like," Cowell said. He received enough votes to enter the Top 5 instead of Archie Williams. Were you the first poet that producers had seen? While you're trying to score tickets, take a walk down memory lane and catch every single one of Leake'sAGTperformances. She was going to watch this live on TV tonight.". "Its amazing to me that on Season 15 its the first time were hearing spoken word," the comedian said. 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. 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. Received enough votes to enter the Top 5 instead of Archie Williams the first poet producers. Make the show the second time around Archie Williams his process you on what you just because. Could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friends welcome! `` we are the griots of our time i 'm still haunted these. 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