Kodi Lee, a 22-year-old man who is blind and autistic, stepped onto the stage for an audition that would soon become unforgettable. Before he performed, his mother, Tina, shared how they first discovered his incredible gift. Whenever he heard music, his face lit up and he would start to sing—moments that moved her to tears. She realized he wasn’t just her son; he was a true performer. With Tina gently guiding him to the piano, the emotion in the room was already intense before a single note was played.
Kodi chose “A Song for You” by Leon Russell and accompanied himself on the piano. From the first notes, the judges and audience were completely transfixed. His voice was rich, soulful, and perfectly controlled, filled with emotion that seemed to break through every barrier his disabilities had placed around him. When he finished, the entire crowd rose to their feet in a roaring standing ovation, many with tears streaming down their faces.
The judges were visibly shaken. Julianne Hough struggled to speak, while Gabrielle Union, overwhelmed as a new mother, said she just wanted to give her children “the moon, the stars, and the rainbows.” In a deeply emotional moment, she reached forward and hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Kodi straight to the live shows. His audition wasn’t just a great performance—it was a stunning reminder of how powerful and transformative music can be.
