Kodi Lee

Kodi Taehyun Lee (born July 7, 1996) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He rose to fame after participating in, and ultimately winning, the 14th season of America's Got Talent.

Kodi Lee
Born (1996-07-07) July 7, 1996
Temecula, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • pianist
Musical career
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
Years active2019–present
Websitewww.kodileerocks.com

In 2019, Lee auditioned for AGT, and within weeks his performance had over 50 million views on the internet.[1] At the end of the season, he was declared the winner.[2]

Early life

Kodi Lee was born from Korean father and Indonesian-American mother, with optic nerve hypoplasia, causing him to become legally blind. He was also diagnosed with autism at an early age, and has Addison's disease.[3] Lee is a prodigious musical savant, a person who manifests musical abilities that would be considered extraordinary, even in a person who is not autistic.[4]

America's Got Talent

On May 28, 2019, Lee auditioned for America's Got Talent during season 14. He performed Leon Russell's song, "A Song for You". Judges Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough and Simon Cowell and the audience gave him a standing ovation at the end of the performance. Union pressed the Golden Buzzer for him, sending him straight through to the live shows.[5] At the quarterfinals, Lee performed Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water" (again to a standing ovation), and advanced to the semifinals. In the semifinals, Lee performed "You Are the Reason" by Calum Scott. During the results, he was announced as one of the ten finalists for the season. In the finals, he performed "Lost Without You" by Freya Ridings. In the finale that aired on September 18, 2019, he performed "You Are the Reason" again, with special guest Leona Lewis. At the end of the program, Lee was announced the winner of season 14, having received the most votes. He is the first autistic, and developmentally disabled person, to win the show.[6]

In July 2022, Cowell ranked his favorite Top 15 Golden Buzzer moments in AGT history during season 17, on which Lee placed 3rd.[7]

In August 2022, Kodi performed a duet of "Don't Stop Believin'" with Teddy Swims along with guitarist Neal Schon, the founder of the band Journey, during the AGT Qualifiers 3 Results episode.

In January 2023, Kodi and Colin Hay released "Hello World" on January 2, 2023. This song got rave reviews and has been well received. This song is Kodi's second original release, preceded by his first, "Miracle." A lyric video of "Hello World" is coming.

In 2023, Kodi participated in America's Got Talent: All-Stars. He received more votes than season 15 winner Brandon Leake and comedian Josh Blue, advancing him to the finale. In the finale, he finished just outside the top five.

References
  1. Gandhi, Lakshimi (June 5, 2019). "Why Kodi Lee's 'America's Got Talent' audition still has people talking". NBC News. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  2. "KODI LEE WINS AMERICA'S GOT TALENT SEASON 14! - America's Got Talent 2019" – via www.youtube.com.
  3. ""I will buy lots of grand pianos in every color," Kodi Lee, blind singer with autism, wins America's Got Talent". KFOR.com. September 19, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  4. "Savant Syndrome | SSM Health Treffert Center".
  5. "Golden Buzzer: Kodi Lee Wows You With A Historical Music Moment! - America's Got Talent 2019" – via www.youtube.com.
  6. "And the Winner of America's Got Talent Season 14 Is..." PEOPLE.com.
  7. O'Rourke, Jill (July 6, 2022). "Simon Cowell Counts Down His Favorite 'AGT' Golden Buzzers". Talent Recap. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
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