'AGT' Brandon Leake speaks words on his unexpected victory which gives

Let friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutSpoken-word poet Brandon Leake's timely, moving message of empathy connected with 'AGT' viewers, leading him to victory in Season 15. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. The Brothers Gage auditioned in March before 'America's Got Talent' judges, but not a cheering audience, as the show adjusts to the COVID-19 pandemic. USA TODAY Handout''America's Got Talent'' champion Brandon Leake didn't approach the NBC talent competition focused on winning, but he did have a plan developed over years of participating in poetry slams.''You just have to strategically place your poems. That way, you get to the end of the show and you have a chance to win with your best poem, '' the first spoken-word poet on the show tells USA TODAY just after being named the winner in the Season 15 finale Wednesday.''So, the (first) time I felt like I had an honest shot at winning was the moment I saw the judges stand up and give me a round of applause after my final piece for my daughter. At the same time, I told myself, 'Even if you don't (win), of course you did. '''Voters have spoken: 'AGT': Poet Brandon Leake wins star-studded finale with Duchess Meghan, Blake SheltonSpoken-word poet Brandon Leake celebrates his 'America's Got Talent' victory Wednesday outdoors at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Photo: Chris Haston, NBC)The 27-year-old from Stockton, California, then paused, clearly still absorbing the reality an hour after being crowned: ''A young kid from Southside Stockton, a poet, came and won 'America's Got Talent. ' Wild! ''Judge Howie Mandel says he had no expectation Leake would win when he advanced him from the audition round to the live shows with his Golden Buzzer, but that he couldn't be happier. The poet's voice is needed during these troubled, painful times, he says.'