Kodi Lee was crowned the America's Got Talent Season 14 winner during Wednesday's live, two-hour season finale following what Simon Cowell dubbed “the best final I have ever sat in on in my life” on Tuesday.
Lee, who is blind and has autism, has been the front-runner of the NBC talent show since earning a Golden Buzzer during the auditions round from Gabrielle Union. Lee not only pulled at the judges' heartstrings, but America's, winning the most viewer votes.
“I feel so amazing. … Unbelievable,” Lee said as he jumped for joy with his mother, Tina Lee, under a sea of confetti and pyrotechnics.
Lee beat out nine finalists, including five other Golden Buzzer winners, and walked away with a $1 million prize and headliner status for an “AGT” show in Las Vegas.
The moment is obviously a dream come true for Kodi Lee, who has said he wants nothing more than to perform for people. He also said he wants a rainbow piano if he wins, so expect that to be on stage when he begins his Las Vegas residency.
Lee will almost certainly have no shortage of attendees, as the crowd frequently chanted his name throughout the evening and erupted when he was announced as the Season 14 winner.
Detroit Youth Choir finished second; comedian Ryan Niemiller finished third; acrobatic dance group V. Unbeatable finished fourth; and the Voices of Service quartet finished fifth.
Earlier in the night, five acts were eliminated: singer Benicio Bryant; opera singer Emanne Beasha; Ndlovu Youth Choir; light up dance group Light Balance Kids and violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa.
The two-hour season finale felt like a concert, with more than a dozen mash-ups and duets featuring the Top 10 contestants, star-studded musical guests and past AGT competitors.
