2021 America's Got Talent Winner and Final Results
The winner of the 2021 season of America's Got Talent was the singer and guitarist Brandon Leake, who won the competition on September 14, 2021, on NBC. The runner-up was the spoken word poet Kodi Lee, and the third-place finisher was the dance group Beyond Belief. The season aired from May 25 to September 14, 2021, and was produced by Fremantle and Syco Entertainment for NBC. The prize package included a headline show in Las Vegas and the $1 million cash prize.
Brandon Leake, from Stockton, California, was noted for his original spoken word performances and his focus on social issues, family, and community. The competition was judged by Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell, with Terry Crews returning as host. The season featured a reduced live audience and modified production formats due to public health guidelines, and it aired across multiple weeks of live shows, auditions, and results episodes on NBC and Peacock.
Season Format, Schedule, and Broadcast Details
The 2021 season began with open auditions, followed by judges' auditions and live shows that moved through quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. NBC broadcast the live episodes, and streaming was available on Peacock. The live shows were staged at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, with limited audience capacity and safety protocols. The competition used a mix of audience votes and judge input to determine finalists, with results revealed in weekly live episodes.
Auditions were held in multiple cities and included both open calls and invited performances, with selected acts moving to the judges' rounds. The season had a total of 22 episodes across its audition and live show phases, and it was one of the later seasons produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with adjustments to stage design, seating, and rehearsal schedules. NBC and the production teams managed contestant travel, testing, and performance logistics in line with local regulations and network guidelines.
Post Show Impact and Follow Up
After winning, Brandon Leake continued to perform and tour, using his platform to promote spoken word education and community engagement. He appeared on talk shows, news programs, and live event lineups, and he released new music and performance content. The win helped raise his profile in the entertainment industry, and he became a reference example for spoken word artists on talent competition shows.
The 2021 season of America's Got Talent contributed to the ongoing visibility of the franchise and supported NBC's programming schedule in the summer and early fall. The show remained a key part of NBC's entertainment lineup, and it continued to attract a broad range of acts, from singers and dancers to magicians, comedians, and novelty performers. The season's results and performances are referenced in later discussions of the series and are available through NBC and related official platforms.