A blind, autistic 22-year-old amazed the judges of “America’s Got Talent” with a golden buzzer performance.
Kodi Lee and his mother walked towards the center of the stage. Kodi paused each time before responding to the judges’ questions, while his mother held the microphone.
The judges wanted to know something about Kodi, so the mother told them of his condition. She also told them about his experience with music.
“We found out that he loved music early on. He listened and his eyes just went huge. He started singing. That’s when I was in tears. Because that’s when I realized, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s an entertainer!’,” she said.
She spoke about the more serious ways music had benefited Kodi’s life.
“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,” Kodi’s mother told the judges.
“Well we’d love to hear you. Go for it!” said judge Gabrielle Union.
“You ready?” asked Kodi’s mother.
“I’m ready!” said Kodi.
Once Kodi’s mother brought him over to the piano, she bent down and whispered in his ear. Those words were picked up by the nearby microphone on the piano.
“This is your time. Okay? There’s going to be like 20 film cameras on you. Ready?” said the mother.
“Yeah!” responded Kodi.
“Go! Boom!” said the mother, before leaving the stage.
The judges already seemed impressed by Kodi’s story and his animated nature, but were even more impressed by what came next.
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Kodi started to play the piano. When he opened his mouth and started singing, judge Simon Cowell’s jaw dropped, with an expression on his face of bewilderment. Gabrielle Union turned to look at the other judges, with an expression of amazement.
Judge Julianne Hough had a very intense look on her face, her jaw likewise hanging open. Further into the performance she shed tears.
“I know everybody needs a voice and an expression. I really feel your heart, your passion. Your voice blew all of us away,” Julianne Hough told Kodi after the performance.
“Listen, what just happened there was extraordinary. I mean, really extraordinary,” said Cowell. “Your voice is absolutely fantastic. You have a really beautiful tone. Thank you so much for trusting us on this show.
“I’m going to remember this moment for the rest of my life.”
Next, Gabrielle Union hit the golden buzzer, sending Kodi Lee directly to the live shows to compete for top honors.
Cowell praised Kodi Lee in media reports even before the show aired, something he rarely does, Heavy reported.
Kodi Lee has the the rare talent of an audio photographic memory, according to his website. The ability helps him to recall an entire musical composition after one listen.
He plays classical music, R&B, rock, jazz, and pop, according to his website. He has played music all around the world. He even received an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.
His website features places he will be performing from June to December. The show dates are all for venues in California, his home state.
