Photo: Trae Patton/NBC
After weeks of countless acts battling head to head on the biggest stage in America, season 14 came to an emotional end.
Kodi Lee, the 22-year old singer and vocalist, was crowned the winner of AGT.
From his first audition, Lee left the audience in a daze after his rendition of Donny Hathaway’s “A Song for You”. The judges were stunned, leaving Julianne Hough in tears, and Simon Cowell speechless. Gabrielle Union showed her admiration by gifting him the Golden Buzzer.
Video: Youtube
But what makes Kodi Lee so special?
Lee was born with an optic nerve hypoplasia and diagnosed with autism at age 4. His mother, Tina Lee, remained by her son’s side through the entire competition.
“We found out that he loved music really early on. He listened and his eyes just went huge, and he started singing, and that’s when I was in tear,” Tina told the judges at Lee’s audition. “Through music and performing, he was able to withstand living in this world because when you’re autistic, it’s really hard to do what everybody else does. It actually has saved his life playing music.”
His unforgettable vocal talents caught the attention of millions. Paul Simon granted Lee special permission to sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” for his quarter finals audition.
Video: Youtube
After each performance, Lee’s fan base grew, which earned him the grand prize of 1 million dollars, and a headline show in Las Vegas.
Although there aren’t many critics out there, they do exist. They feel like the only reason Lee won was because of his disabilities, which is not entirely untrue.
Photo: Michigan Live & Isaiah Stephens twitter
Personally, Kodi Lee was able to be more captivating and inspirational by showcasing his talent and his story. People often forget how difficult it could be to live with a disability, even the simplest of all.
We need to get it out of our heads that people with disabilities can’t do anything that a person without a disability can’t do. Are some things limited? Absolutely. But we need to keep in mind that Kodi Lee has an undeniable passion for music. He had a dream, and he went for it.
He was able to be a vessel for kids with disabilities all around the world, who have a talent and are afraid of coming forward. The confidence and stage presence from his first performance to his last, is the true definition of growth.
He was given the opportunity to perform alongside Leona Lewis to a beautiful rendition of Calum Scott’s “You Are The Reason”, ending his final performance on the AGT stage in the most Kodi Lee way possible.
Video: Youtube
Not only will we remember the name Kodi Lee as an inspiration to people with disabilities, but how he is a perfect example of not allowing obstacles to come in the way of fulfilling your dreams, no matter how out of reach they may seem.
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