After weeks of competition, 22-year-old Kodi Lee won the 14th season of America’s Got Talent.
Lee, who is blind and autistic, impressed judge Gabrielle Union so much during his audition that she gave him a rare Golden Buzzer, Yahoo Entertainment reports.
Lee beat several talented finalists, including the Detroit Youth Choir, comedian Ryan Niemiller and the dance group V. Unbeatable, according to People.
Lee’s mother says that when Lee was a young boy, the family quickly realized his deep love for music, reports CNN Entertainment.
“Through music and performing, he was able to withstand living in this world,” she says. “Because when you’re autistic, it’s really hard to do what everyone else does. It actually has saved his life, playing music.”
Lee recently performed a cover for the hit Christian song “I Can Only Imagine” by Bart Millard.
With his perfect pitch and audio photographic memory, Lee played piano as he sang:
“Surrounded by Your glory / What will my heart feel? / Will I dance for You, Jesus / Or in awe of You be still? / Will I stand in Your presence / Or to my knees will I fall? / Will I sing hallelujah? / Will I be able to speak at all? / I can only imagine.”
Watch the heartwarming performance here.
