Will Kodi Lee win 'AGT: Fantasy League'? Finalist puts $250,000 at stake as judges miss singer's original compositions
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' teases an early release performance from the February 12 Finals, featuring none other than Season 14 champion Kodi Lee. Breaking away from his renowned original compositions, Kodi surprises the audience with a unique rendition of Queen's classic "Bohemian Rhapsody." His piano-led performance not only showcases his musical versatility but also stirs up a bit of controversy, as some judges express their preference for his distinctive compositions.
Kodi delivered a unique interpretation of the iconic song while skillfully playing the piano. His performance earned him a standing ovation from the judges, showcasing his versatility and musical talent on the grand stage of the Finals.
The song selection marks a notable shift for Kodi, who has exclusively presented two of his original compositions earlier in the season. Initially, he captivated audiences with his original piece "Change" during the preliminary round. Subsequently, in the Semifinals, he delivered an emotional performance of "Journey of You and I," dedicated to his mother, Tina. Howie Mandel claimed that Kodi "Kodi-fied" the iconic song, telling the singer, "You’re a star. You always deliver. I’m so proud that I could be the mentor of your dream team."
In the meantime, Mel B complimented Kodi on "a good song choice," but highlighted how much she enjoys hearing him perform his own original songs. Heidi Klum appeared to concur, describing Kodi as "so very talented" and mentioning how much she liked his compositions. Simon Cowell, Kodi's former mentor, emphasized that Kodi always demonstrates his "own take" on the songs he sings. According to Cowell, "The Final just wouldn’t be the same without you in it."
Who is 'America's Got Talent' Season 14 winner Kodi Lee?
Kodi Lee, born on July 7, 1996, in Utah, is a multi-talented artist, excelling as a singer, composer, and pianist. His remarkable journey led him to compete on season 14 of 'AGT.' Kodi's legendary audition earned him the Golden Buzzer and standing ovations from judges Gabrielle Union, Simon, Howie, and Julianne Hough. The audition went viral online, amassing 45 million views on YouTube.
Kodi eventually won the competition, with the Detroit Youth Choir in second place and stand-up comedian Ryan Niemiller in third. Kodi has subsequently enjoyed a successful career, having over 375,000 monthly Spotify listeners as of February 2024.
His January 2024 single "Change" has received over 1.1 million streams. Beyond his musical achievements, Kodi is a social media sensation, amassing a substantial following on various platforms. He has 1.7 million followers on his TikTok page, @officialkodileerocks; 1 million on his Facebook account, @kodileerocks; 482,000 on his Instagram page, @kodileerocks; 426,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, @kodileerocks; and over 60,000 followers on his X account, @Kodileerocks.
Kodi's unique gift includes an audio photographic memory, allowing him to retain songs after just one listen. Described as an "unbelievable gift," his musical expression and prowess surpass even this extraordinary ability, as highlighted in his website bio.
What condition does 'America's Got Talent' Season 14 winner Kodi Lee have?
Kodi Lee faces the challenges of being blind and autistic. His blindness stems from a condition called optic nerve hypoplasia, which compelled emergency surgery when he was merely five days old, as reported by The Music Man. In addition to his visual impairment, Kodi has been diagnosed with autism and Addison's disease, according to the same source. Described as a "musical prodigious savant" on his website bio, Kodi stands as one of only about 25 individuals globally who exhibit such extraordinary musical abilities.
Who are 'America's Got Talent' Season 14 winner Kodi Lee's parents?
Kodi's parents' are Tina and Eric Lee, and they share a family with two other children, Kayla and Derek Lee. During Kodi's memorable audition on 'AGT,' Tina joined her son onstage, creating an emotional and unforgettable moment. Kodi has advanced to the finals of 'AGT: Fantasy League' after performing his original song, "Journey of You and I," dedicated to his mother on January 29, 2024, as reported by Deseret News.
Tina is not only a mother of three but also an activist, speaker, and manager, as highlighted on her website, where she declares her unwavering commitment to advocacy.
The two-episode 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' finals premieres on February 12 at 8/7c on NBC and finishes the following week with the announcement of the $250,000 grand prize winner.