brandon leake agt sister cause of death

First published on March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. His sister passed away when he was only 4-years-old. Just be you, both on and off stage. BRANDON LEAKE: I know I said earlier to hold on to love loosely so when it leaves, it won't exit so painfully. According to Parade, Rafael was fatally shot in an attempted kidnapping in 1998. The Season 15 winner was the show's first-ever spoken word poet to compete. I handicapped myself for years because I was too concerned with how people looked at me, how people perceived me. Brandon Leake's auditionin Episode 1506 consisted of recitinga spoken word poem about his late sister. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. However, that didn't seem to affect the emotion in the room. 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. ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! (Kelly Clarkson and Kenan Thompson previously served as season 15 guest judges during the live shows. 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. He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. "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. Klum, Vergara and Mandel have all spoken to PEOPLE about Cowell's recovery. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Everybody else is pretty much irrelevant. I'm just trying to hold onto you. ", "Lines like that are what build the bridge between me and another person, and who would have thought that poetry or spoken word could do that," said Leake. 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. But it was his first time, I believe, being moved by it the way I do it. "A nightmare. 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. For his audition, Leake presented an emotional piece about mourning his late sister. He went on to study at Simpson University in Redding, where as well as writing poetry, he played basketball onSimpson'sNCAA Division II team. "I can feel your pain. I am so grateful to be in this country. I know what this is. Brandon Leake's Finals performance in Episode 1521 consisted of reciting a spoken word poem in the form of a prayer to his daughter Aaliyah. Seasons If people missed this show tonight, they need to watch this on YouTube and need to share it. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more! "I've been ground-bound because she left. Below, NBC Insider chats with Leake about his experience on AGT, where he writes his best poems, and more. 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. After the show, Mandel spoke with PEOPLE and praised Leake on the "imperative and important" message of his poem. 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. 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. Most of us don't often walk in other people's shoes. "It is not our most dire moments that define us, but instead how we respond to them. 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. We feel your love and you moved me to do this.". This show is about talent as much as it is about story. Burt Bacharach, Legendary Composer Of Pop Songs, Dies At 94 . On Tuesday's episode of the competition series, 27-year-old Brandon Leake took . Wildcats, singer Celina, Divas & Drummers of Compton, singer Kenadi Dodds, projection artists Lightwave Theatre Company and dancer Noah Epps. Information And then I just keep my shoulders from getting wet. Brandon Leake is an African-American spoken word poet, educator, and motivational speaker. You don't have to be this hardened individual who steps in there and does this crazy competitive work. Its like singing and talking and just being a human a cappella. I could finally say spoken-word has a place in this artistry world. ", Mandel added, "I asked Brandon if his mother had heard this and he said no. Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Finals in Episode 1518 instead of Thomas Day. Just a raw heart beating in front of us. Were you the first poet that producers had seen? Position Reached On Tuesday, Vergara tweeted that the emotional performance was "a great way to end the night!!! Praise be the kingdom. Gibson was only 8 months old. 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. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. What surprised you most about your AGT experience? To let it all hang loose on stage and leave nothing behind. "I can feel your pain; I know what this is. AGT Season 17 premieres Tuesday, May 31 at 8 p.m. I actually didn't think about that at all. 15, All-Stars The poem touched every single Judge, but particularly Howie Mandel, who awarded Leake with a Golden Buzzer. Male After reciting his incredibly moving poem, Brandon got a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel, while Sofia looked visibly stunned. I know what this is. 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. But I was left here to manufacture wings out of tears and broken dreams, Brandon rapped. For myself, it was like, this is my time. It's either love or pain, one of the two. He's a young man from Stockton who's transcending boundaries and breaking down barriers for generations to come. The first contestant to perform poetry on AGT, Leake prefaced his spoken word piece by dedicating it to his sister. 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. Photo: Trae Patton/NBC. She died from an enlarged heart at only eight-months-old. 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. In his ode to his sister, he reads, "If I could trade my six feet for yours. 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. 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." 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. You are so amazing. The only consistent thing about my writing is I write best in the shower. His daughter, now 6 months old, is named Aaliyah, but her dad calls her "booboo". "My older brother, Rafael, was killed in Colombia," she said. One of the best days of Brandon's life was when his sister, Danielle Marie Gibson, was born. 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. Brandon blew away judge Howie Mandel in particular after he performed a piece about the loss of his sister. 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!' Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. Brandon Leake is AGT royalty. 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. Last week on'AGT': Sofia Vergara falls in her haste to get away from shocking eye-bulging rapper. 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. When or if Cowell, 60, will return has yet to be determined. Winner, Preliminaries Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. 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. I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. I wish he could've been here," Vergara said. Keep reading for 10 things you didn't know about America's Got Talent season 15 winner . 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. Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. "We are the storytellers of the generation, we are the griots of our time. Brandon Leake, a 27-year-old college counselor from Stockton, California, shocked the judges with . ", She added at the time: "With so many bad things happening, it creates a tough skin. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. At present, he is 30 years old and his sun sign is Taurus. "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. Congratulations to Brandon Leake for WINNING Season 15 of America's Got Talent! SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. HOWIE MANDEL: You're amazing, buddy. And I'm like, Sweet, let's do this.. There was another poet who was trying out with me. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. Relive all of Brandon's full performances from the season. 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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. Pierce Brosnan Remembers Daughter Charlotte 7 Years After Her Death: 'Here's Looking at You Kid', Elizabeth Hurley Is 'Saddened Beyond Belief' Over Death of Ex Steve Bing: 'It Is a Terrible End', Meet the 11 Finalists of 'America's Got Talent: All-Stars', 'AGT: All-Stars' : Auditions Come to a Close as a Viral Sensation Earns the Final Superfan Vote, 'AGT: All-Stars' : A Stand-Out Singer Earns the Group Golden Buzzer and a Beloved Vocalist Returns, 'AGT: All-Stars' : Simon Cowell Helps 1 Act Make History by Unexpectedly Pushing His Golden Buzzer, 'AGT: All-Stars' Premiere: The First Golden Buzzer Is Earned and a Fan Favorite Returns to the Stage, Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello's Relationship Timeline, Simon Cowell Promises 'AGT: All-Stars' Will Be 'Brilliant' as New Show Unveils Its 60 Competing Acts, 'AGT' Judges Praise The Mayyas After 'Memorizing' Dance Routine: 'Not Like Anything You Can Describe', Sofa Vergara Reveals the 'Very Special' Gift The Mayyas Gave Her Moments After They Won'AGT', 'AGT' 's Simon Cowell Remembers Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski as 'Extraordinary Person' After Her Death, From Magicians and Singers to a Pole Dancer! 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. SIMON COWELL: Really-- this is a very difficult thing for me to judge. There's something very, very special about you. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Relive all of Brandon's full performances from the season. Get The America's. I shouldn't be judging it. SOFIA VERGARA: My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. There's really no other place to find a mainstream home. "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. Brandon Leake, the spoken-word poet who won the 2020 edition of America's Got Talent, has signed with UTA for all areas. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. "Kind of," Leake replied. "And we won. With the help of four other spoken word poets, he delivered a piece about his hometown of Stockton, California. Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. Incredibly, in all of its 15 seasons, Americas Got Talent has never had a spoken-word contestant. Now, Leake is a poetry maven who tours the country. 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. 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. There was something more raw, in the way that it's like singing and talking and just being a human, a cappella no music, no nothing, just a raw heart beating in front of us, Howie marveled. Leake, who is AGT 's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. It's just me and my thoughts. The fourth and final slate of contestants performed in the live quarterfinal rounds of America's Got Talent. Although the audience was missing, the talent was not. He finished ahead of Josh Blue but behind Kodi Lee, eliminating him from the competition. Mother was like a zombie. 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. But, there is something so different about Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake and the countless others," Leake said. Brandon returned as a guest performer in Episode 1610 performing a spoken word piece about his hometown of Stockton. It doesn't take away from me. "Its amazing to me that on Season 15 its the first time were hearing spoken word," the comedian said. 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 journey started one of two ways. 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. Danielle's presence was definitely felt. It's my opportunity. (He even earned a Golden Buzzer.) Never give up on this dream. I could tell my producer, it wasn't the first time he had heard spoken-word. She was going to watch this live on TV tonight.". How communal the talent pool became. "I am going to show the world what a spoken-word poet can do.". It's the time that I don't have anybody pulling on me. A Poet Makes Golden Buzzer History On 'America's Got Talent' . 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. Brandon Leake is a poet from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. You deserve the world and more. "From the person who lives in Wyoming in a farm town who can relate to a city kid from Stockton, California. We feel your love. Brandons audition wasnt Tuesdays only emotional moment. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. [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 Leake's Quarterfinals performance in Episode 1515 consisted of reciting a spoken word poem about mother love and racial injustice. 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. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays (8 p.m. 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. "And here we are.". "America's Got Talent" headed into uncharted territory Tuesday. On the following Wednesdays, (which will feature celebrity musical acts including BTS on Sept. 16), the finalists will be announced. 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. 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. 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. Spoiler alert! 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. The audition greatly resonated with Vergara, 47, at the judges' panel. The poem touched every single Judge, but . Season 15 He returned for America's Got Talent: All-Stars where he finished in 2nd place in his Preliminary week. If you don't understand it and you're not moved by it, then you're not a human being. 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. ", "Words seem to move people and myself more than anything, he's got everything," Mandel, 64, said of his Golden Buzzer winner. We feel your pain. TERRY CREWS: You have received the Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel. I wanted to be with them, so I got a big house [in Miami, Florida] and we all lived together. Anna posted on her Instagram celebrating 3 years with her hubby. Sofia Vergara was emotionally moved by this poetic America's Got Talent audition. I know what it is to have somebodytaken from you without you knowing, but it was very beautiful for me.". He will be part of the AGT Live residency and has a movie in the works. NBC Insider: How did you discover spoken-word poetry? We feel your pain. You give the same effort of performance and excellence for 10 people as you do for 10,000. 'America's Got Talent' Winners: Where Are They Now? This is a very difficult thing to me to judge. This was a long time coming. Leake was born into a single parent home with his mother, Carla on the south side of Stockton, California. "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. He received enough votes to enter the Top 5 instead of Archie Williams. 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. Leake actually didn't make it to the AGT stage when he first auditioned back in 2017. 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. Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Semifinals in Episode 1516 instead of CA Wildcats and Divas & Drummers of Compton. The Stockton, California, native spoke about his mother's . He is the first novelty act to win the competition. Just be you. Exclusive:How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. 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. I know what this is. 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. You could either say it started in middle school with girls who were cute, and that's how I first started writing poetry. Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. The reason I became so much better was actually 'cause I failed making the show the first time. What was that experience like? 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. 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. God blessed me with really long arms, so I just put my phone outside the water and type. ", Klum also said Cowell has been "healing pretty fast," adding, "I think he's doing amazingly.". We have to understand each other and be compassionate, have empathy for each other. 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. 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.. ", RELATED VIDEO: Sofia Vergara Says She and Husband Joe Manganiello 'Haven't Had 1 Fight Yet' During Quarantine. STOCKTON (CBS13) Putting yourself out there may not be easy, but sending a message that builds unity may be worth it. Sex After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. I just want to compliment you on what you just did, because it was extraordinary, said a quieted Simon. Dancers have World of Dance and all these other places. Howie and Heidi are amazing, but he's the boss! 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 27-year-old Brandon Leake is a spoken word poet and motivational speaker. 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. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," an emotional Vergara said. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. March 1, 2021 / 6:45 AM 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. Everybody has to hear it. She fell asleep and just didn't wake up," Leake told CBS13. SOFIA VERGARA: Yeah. Last week, a source told PEOPLE that "Simon's healing has been going well," and "he's recovering at home." He received a standing ovation from Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Mandel. How were you able to reach a place where you can be so personal in your work? I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. . Table of Biography [ show] Early Life Brandon Leake was born on May 4, 1992. For more Brandon Leake AGT content, check out this roundup of his best moments from the show. 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. And if you want your story told properly, you have to be yourself. "For me, it's my first time and I feel comfortable when he is with us. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. 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. 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. Leake, a former high school English teacher from Stockton, California, had welcomed his first child 14 days prior to shooting the tryout. Very much she's here with me now, Brandon answered. In a poem used as an open letter to his father, Leake reflected on their years-long strained relationship and road to healing. Brandon Leake's ode to his sister turned an audience-free "AGT" into a night to remember.

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