Over its eighteen-season run, which will conclude with a May–September 2023 broadcast, the show has inspired four spin-off competitions; with a few Top Blacks that have won the AGT. America’s Got Talent: The Champions (launching in January 2019), America’s Got Talent: Extreme (launching in February 2022), America’s Got Talent: All-Stars (launching in January 2023), and AGT: Fantasy League (launching in 2024). In the summer of 2024, the main series is scheduled to return for its nineteenth season, including Crews as the host and Cowell, Mandel, Klum, and Vergara as judges.
History of AGT
Simon Cowell, a Sony Music executive and creator of The X Factor, came up with the idea for America’s Got Talent with the intention of creating a talent competition that would be much greater than previous televised talent contests. He first proposed the idea for a competition in 2005 to the British television network ITV. Entrants could be of any age or region and could compete with whatever kind of talent they wished to showcase. The idea was positively received by the network, which authorized the creation of a pilot episode to test the model. Cowell and two other judges, including tabloid reporter Piers Morgan, formed the panel. This pilot turned out to be successful.
After the first season’s popularity, NBC ordered more seasons, and ITV contacted Cowell to discuss starting up production on the British version for 2007. Due to the popularity of both the British and American versions of the show, Cowell accepted bids to purchase the rights to the competition format, which resulted in the creation of the Got Talent franchise. Here are the Top Blacks that have won the AGT
1. Brandon Leake
Born on May 4, 1992, Brandon Leake is an educator, motivational speaker, and spoken word poet. He won the sixteenth season of America’s Got Talent. Howie Mandel gave him the Golden Buzzer prize in the first round of America’s Got Talent, making him the first spoken word poet to compete. He gave performances of songs about his mother, father, daughter, and deceased sister. On September 23, 2020, he was declared the 15th season’s champion.
He was awarded a $1 million cash prize, a brand-new Kia Stinger, and the chance to appear at Luxor Las Vegas. In order to promote his published poetry, he has traveled with his Dark Side Tour to 36 US states, New Zealand, Mexico, and Canada.
The news that Leake had signed with United Talent Agency was released on October 9, 2020. It was also revealed in October 2020 that Leake would produce and contribute to HATE: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, the new worldwide online series from the Team Harmony Foundation.
Leake hails from California’s Stockton. His daughter was born not long before he went on his first audition, and he is married.
2. Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.
Born in Logan County, West Virginia, on August 11, 1974, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. is an American jazz singer. After winning the sixth season of the NBC reality series America’s Got Talent, he gained widespread recognition. Since his victory in 2011, Landau has put out four albums in total. In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, Landau utilized his leisure time to complete his high school degree.
He advocates for adult education in West Virginia through the Department of Education’s “It’s Never Too Late to Graduate” campaign. In his hometown of Logan, West Virginia, Landau continues to promote adult education by providing Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College with the official Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. Scholarship.
Murphy went to New York City for the audition in November 2010. On September 14, 2011, he was chosen as the show’s winner following a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s hit song “My Way”. On October 28, he started his headline career in Las Vegas after winning the $1 million grand prize.
About Simon Phillip Cowell
As a judge on television music and talent shows, Cowell frequently makes direct and contentious remarks, including taunts and accusations regarding the singing prowess of the competitors. Many say that Simon however is always particularly harsh with the black contestants and this has led to a lot of controversies over the years.
He mixes work in the music and television businesses. For a number of music artists that he has signed to his record company Syco Music, including Little Mix, James Arthur, Labrinth, Leona Lewis, Fifth Harmony, Olly Murs, Noah Cyrus, Fleur East, Ella Henderson, and Susan Boyle, Cowell has produced and promoted hit singles and albums. Additionally, he signed to popular boy bands including CNCO, One Direction, PrettyMuch, and Westlife.
Time named Cowell one of the top 100 most important persons in the world in both 2004 and 2010.
READ ALSO:
Top Asians who have won the AGT
