Kodi Lee wasted little time celebrating his win on “America’s Got Talent.”
What happened: On Wednesday night, Lee clinched the top prize on “AGT” for season 14, securing the title after a long road that began with a golden buzzer victory for the Tooele, Utah, native.
- Lee, who is blind and has autism, said he always thought he would win.
- “Heck, yeah!” he said. ”I’m a winner.”
- It’s still hard for him to believe, though.
- “It was unbelievable,” he said.
Lee celebrated with his mother, Tina Lee, after the victory. He said he sang his finale song Tuesday — “Lost Without You” by Freya Ridlings — for his mother.
- “It’s amazing. It’s opening doors for other families and to know that we made a difference is huge. I knew (Kodi) was here for a reason and, and now this proves it,” Tina Lee said about her son, according to USA Today. “Winning the show is shocking but he did more than the show. He changed the world. He’s going to make it easier for families. He’s going to inspire families. He’s going to give strength to parents.”
Judge Simon Cowell — despite saying that Lee wasn’t a shoo-in — praised Lee after the victory.
“Everybody rooted for him and he’s probably one of the most popular winners we’ve had on one of these shows,” Cowell said, according to USA Today. “He’s got an amazing talent. … The guy’s just an absolute star. He’s one of those contestants you’re going to remember. You’ll always remember that first audition.”
Before the episode aired, Howie Mandel predicted that Lee would win the season, according to Gold Derby, a reality competition news website.
- “Two words come to mind: heck yeah! I think season 14 is the season of Kodi Lee, and if I had to predict, you’re worth much more than a million, but I think you’re gonna walk out of here with a million.”