Mum of blind autistic boy who left America's Got Talent judges in tears opens up

Prior to his performance, Kodi Lee, 22, appeared on stage alongside his mum Tina who explained her son was blind and autistic. Photo / Supplied

A blind autistic man left America's Got Talent judges in tears on Tuesday as he stunned with everyone in the audience with his beautiful voice.

His mother, watching from a distance, could not have been more proud of her boy.

Kodi Lee, 22, received a standing ovation from everyone in the studio, judges included, when he finished his performance of Donny Hathaway's A Song For You.

His mother, Tina Lee, told NBC Nightly News the following day that her son's talent, news to the world, is something she's always known about and been proud of.

"There's this other part of him, it is like two people. You put him on stage and all of a sudden, it's like the flip of hat, and he has no disabilities on stage," she said.

Kodi Lee, who is blind and has autism, delivered an emotional performance on the season premiere of @AGT that earned him a golden buzzer from judge Gabrielle Union.

We sat down with Kodi and his mom, who says she couldn’t be more proud: https://t.co/jDdMJOJKXh pic.twitter.com/71rvaGdjgM

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) May 30, 2019

The mother guided Kodi on stage for his performance and did most of the speaking when it was time to answer the judges' questions.

She told them music had literally saved Kodi's life and allowed him to have a happy existence in the world.

When he sat down in front of the piano, aided by his mum, no one expected to see what was about to happen.

Simon Cowell couldn't stop staring, his eyes looking a little watery, and Julianne Hough was wiping tears before the song was finished.

His mum knew he was talented but wasn't expecting him to conquer everyone quite that way.

"I've been watching him perform for quite a while, but that day on stage, the sound as he started to sing, it was like the best sound I have ever heard come out of his mouth," she told the NBC programme.

"Like, I was shocked. I literally could not stop crying. It's almost like he knew that was the place to like, give it all.

"He'd always say, 'I want to perform for thousands of people.' And I'm like, Kodi, you're performing for millions of people," she said.

"He's just such an innocent soul, and he's so happy, always. And to be around him, it helps you be happy."

Kodi said he's excited at all the attention he's getting since the show aired.

"I feel excited," he said, and when asked if he's also anticipating the live shows coming up, he said: "Heck yeah!"

Auditions: Kodi Lee - America's Got Talent

Music saved Kodi Lee's life. 💙 See why Gabrielle Union's first Golden Buzzer will go down in history.

Posted by America's Got Talent on Tuesday, 28 May 2019

According to Kodi's website, the 22-year-old was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, a congenital condition which means the optic nerve has not fully developed.

"Born with optic nerve hypoplasia, surviving a life-saving surgery at five days old, and being diagnosed with autism at an early age has never stopped Kodi from reaching for his dreams," his online bio says.

"Kodi continues to pursue his musical career and his dream is to be a "rock star" performing for thousands of fans.

"Any opportunity Kodi has to perform is a good day for him, and the bigger more energetic the audience, the more he loves to shine."

The judges all agreed Kodi's performance was one of the best they'd ever seen.

America's Got Talent newest judge, Gabrielle Union, pressed the coveted "golden buzzer" — using up her only opportunity to do so for the season — which automatically sent Kodi to the next round of the competition, in Hollywood.