America’s Got Talent winner Brandon Leake is back with his most vulnerable project yet. The poet, who won AGT in 2020, took a few years away from the limelight and is now back to sharing his story with the world. Here’s everything to know about his new story, launching soon.
AGT Winner Brandon Leake to Release “Intimacy” Summer 2026
In a recent conversation with Talent Recap, Leake opened up about the creation of his new album. The poet stepped away from performing and traveling due to his eldest child being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.
During this time, Leake continued writing but was sharing less to the public due to life’s insanity. Alongside being an active father, Leake took the time to draw closer to God. Once things were more stable, he chose his 10 best poems to be apart of the album.
“The 10 poems that are a part of the album were the ones that like stood out,” he said. “These are the deepest reflection of what me and God and my family worked through. This is the deepest reflection of all of the new revelations, the changes, the adaptations that occurred in my life.”
The rest of the poems he wrote during this time will be featured in a poetry book of the same name, Intimacy. Leake chose to self publish his poetry book this time around.
The album itself features some of Leakes most intimate stories to date. According to him, there’s no question on whether these poems are about him or someone else. He decided to get so open with this album since vulnerability is what he’s always known in his art.
“I fell in love with poetry being vulnerable,” he said. “I think that’s I think that’s kind of the only recipe for me.”
There is not currently an exact release date for Intimacy. According to the AGT winner, the poet will release this album in either June or July 2026.
Intimacy is Different Than Leake’s Other Albums
Fans will quickly notice that this album differs from Leakes others, since this one featuring quick speaking with a track underneath. It’s to the point that some may even say Leake was rapping on the album.
“This album features like a 70 piece orchestra, a 10 person band, this beautiful nine person choir, several very important features from very prominent spoken word artists from around the country like New York, Houston, Florida, Vegas,” he said.
As many know, this is not Leake’s first album release. In 2023, he release his debut album, Insomnia, which was “birthed out of boredom.”
“I was doing the the America’s Got Talent show in Vegas…it’s a wonderful experience, It’s just not very artistic in the sense that like you’re not trying anything you new,” he said “You’re not doing anything new…you perform the same poem…for me, I needed an outlet for my creativity.”
Insomnia was his way of boosting his creativity during his time on the live show. Intimacy is different because it was intentionally made.
“No boredom was involved, no forced writing,” he said. “If anything, it was like I spent way too much time crafting, editing, and changing these poems.”
When the album release comes along, Leake will also be releasing an hour-long concert special. The concert featured a sold out 1,400 person theater, orchestra, band, choir, and dancers.
The AGT Winner is Embracing His Champion Title in 2026
Although winning America’s Got Talent is a great accomplishment, Leake hasn’t embraced the title until now. In the past, he’s felt the desire to distance himself from AGT, but now? He’s taking his friend’s advice on the title.
“He was like, ‘Brandon, you earned a title that you love to deny. the truth is, you were blessed enough to go win this show and there’s only so many people who could ever say the who could ever speak the speak the same title as you,'” he said. “You should really be proud and claim that and don’t deny it. So I walk into rooms now and I claim it loudly… I’m like yo like yeah I did win America’s Got Talent.”
The poet is now embracing his portion of the show’s legacy. Though he’d never return as a competitor, due to his art being less competitive in current day, he hopes to return to the series as a performer.
Leake hopes fans will continue to relate with his authenticity in 2026. If you fell in love with his art on AGT, check out his new album.
