America most definitely has talent. After yet another summer of impressive singer, dancers, magicians and plenty more took to the NBC stage on a weekly basis, this much has been made clear. But who in America has the most talent? According to this beloved reality series? This question answered on the America’s Got Talent Season 14 finale on Wednesday night. Cue the drumroll and then cue the congratulatory message to… … KODI LEE! After weeks of competition, Lee was been crowned the latest champion yesterday evening, besting fellow finalists opera singer Emanne Beasha, violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, dance troupe Light Balance Kids, singer Benicio Bryant and Ndlovu Youth Choir in the process. “I feel so amazing,” he told Terry Crews after winning. “Unbelievable!” In many ways, this result felt preordained a long time ago. And also well-deserved. The 22 year-old singer and pianist is blind and autistic, yet neither of those attributes prevented him from putting on incredible performances all season long. He run to the title started back when he earned Gabrielle Union’s golden buzzer in the first audition episode of the season. In addition to the honor of being the winner, Lee takes home $1 million and will headline shows from November 7-10 at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Along with his memorable vocal abilities, Lee’s life story quickly made him a Season 14 fan favorite. The Lake Elsinore, California, native was born with optic nerve hypoplasia and diagnosed with autism at age 4. His mother, Tina, accompanied him on stage for the entire competition Truly inspiring stuff all around. “He’s making people believe in something they didn’t even know is attainable. He’s magic,” Union previously told People Magazine of Lee. Speaking to the press about an hour after the finale, Lee exclaimed: “Heck, yeah! I’m a winner!” The finale features performances from the likes of Cher, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Leona Lewis. It also gave us a surprise reunion between Simon Cowell and his former fellow American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, who secretly performed with Light Balance Kids and only revealed herself at the end of the performance. Much to Cowell’s shock. In the end, though, it all came back to Lee and down to Lee. “Everybody rooted for him and he’s probably one of the most popular winners we’ve had on one of these shows,” Cowell said, concluding: “He’s got an amazing talent. … The guy’s just an absolute star. He’s one of those contestants you’re going to remember. You’ll always remember that first audition.” CONGRATS TO KODI LEE!
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America’s Got Talent Season 14: Did the Right Act Win?
