Not since the jaw-dropping performance from a then frumpy, unknown Susan Boyle in the third season of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 has the franchise achieved a moment like when 22-year-old Kodi Lee took to stage.
In the season 14 opener of America’s Got Talent on Tuesday, the young man cheerily replied the judges’ questions as his mother, Tina Lee took to stage by his side with an uplifting tale of how playing music “actually has saved his life”.
Performing Leon Russell’s A Song For You, the judges’ panel and the audience were on their feet in applause, with many in tears over the stunning performance.
“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,” said Tina.
Newcomer Gabrielle Union was quick to hand out the Golden Buzzer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDPdRYF7hTQ
The video has surpassed 11 million views on AGT’s official YouTube alone, circulated around the world with many reliving the magic.
Malaysians were not left out with radio stations such as Mix FM buzzing about Kodi’s talent, while local social media timelines were choc-full of shared or reuploaded videos.