America's Got Talent kicked off its 14th season Tuesday night and one performance had the judges on their feet and in tears. Walking onto the stage alongside his mother, 22-year-old Kodi Lee not only had a jaw-dropping talent but an inspiring, triumphant story.
"Kodi is blind and autistic," his mother Tina Lee told the judges. "We found out that he loved music really early on. He listened and his eyes just went huge, and he started singing and that's when I went into tears–I realized he's an entertainer."
"Through music and performing he was able to withstand living in this world," she continued. "When you're autistic, it's really hard to do what everybody else does. It actually has saved his life, playing music."
Kodi was then led to a piano and a microphone. He proceeded to sit down, with the encouragement of his mother and brought the entire auditorium to its feet–even bringing judge Julianne Hough to tears.
"That's all for you, baby, that's all for you," Kodi's mother said in her son's ear as the crowd roared in applause.
"You were wonderful," judge Howie Mandell said. "Not only did we feel the authenticity of what you do but you're a great inspiration and a great talent."
"I know that everyone needs a voice and an expression," Hough tearfully added. "I really feel your heart, your passion–your voice blew all of us away. I just want to say that I heard you, I felt you and that was beautiful."
"What just happened there was extraordinary, I mean, truly extraordinary," judge Simon Cowell complimented. "I don't know what it's like to live in Kodi's world, all I can tell is that you two have a wonderful relationship. [Kodi,] your voice is fantastic, it has a really beautiful tone. Thank you so much for trusting us on this show."
Cowell went on to say that Kodi's performance would be a performance that he would "remember for the rest of [his] life."
"I'm a new judge this season and I'm also a new mom this year," judge Gabrielle Union said. "It's the toughest job I've ever had and the most rewarding job I've ever had. You just want to give your kids the moon, the stars and the rainbows ... and tonight, I'm going to give you something special."
Union immediately slammed the golden buzzer, giving Kodi an automatic pass to the live show in Hollywood. As golden confetti rained down on Kodi and his mother, the energy was electric as friends and family joined the 22-year-old on stage.
"You just changed the world," Union said to Kody in an embrace.
Watch more amazing performances when America's Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
