Simon Cowell‘s ‘America’s Got Talent‘ introduced us to a musical savant Kodi Lee during its 14th season. Kodi rose to fame after his AGT audition and ultimate win. While the prodigy is receiving all the attention, let’s also get to know Kodi Lee’s family.
Kodi is legally blind and autistic. But with his family’s unwavering love and support, the Korean American singer/pianist is on his way to greater things. So let’s get to know about the inspiring Lee family.
Music Saved Kodi
Kodi was born with optic nerve hypoplasia, which caused him to become legally blind. At age 4, he was diagnosed with autism and also has Addison’s disease. It must have been heartbreaking for Kodi’s parents, Tina Lee and Eric Lee, to learn about their child’s condition.
Tina and Eric first recognized their son’s exceptional musical talent when he was two. Eric was playing ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb‘ on the piano when Kodi reached over and started playing it himself.
When you talk to Kodi, he struggles to form a complete sentence but becomes a completely different person while singing. It truly is astonishing to see him sing so fluently. According to Tina, music saved her son’s life.
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Meet Kodi Lee’s Family
Kodi is the firstborn child of the Lee family. His full name is Kodi Taehyun Lee, and was born on July 7, 1996. The credit for Kodi’s success goes to his close-knit family, who has supported him in reaching where he is today.
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Kodi Lee’s family includes his parents, Tina and Eric Lee, younger sister Kayla Lee and brother Derek Lee. They all are loving and supportive of each other. The unsung hero of the Lee family is Eric Lee, a graphic designer and black-belt martial artist. While Tina is a full-time manager for her son Kodi.
Just like Kodi, his younger brother Derek is also into music. He is also a singer and musician, whereas Kayla aspires to be a model and a photographer.
Derek and Kayla also co-star on Kodi’s Youtube channel. They helped Kodi film his first fan mail unboxing and answered numerous queries related to their brother’s condition and autism. The family shares a loving bond and can be seen supporting each other on their social media.
Lee First Performed At The Happiest Place On Earth
The AGT winner first performed at Disneyland when he was only 6. At that time, Kodi was in a wheelchair due to his tactile defensiveness. While the family stopped to eat lunch on a stage, the four singers came out and performed a cappella.
Kodi got all excited, and when his mother mentioned her son could sing, the performers invited him on the stage. Without any prior rehearsals or anything, Kodi sang a Cappella ‘Shout.’ He was loving performing for people so much that he was smiling from ear to ear.
That’s when Kodi Lee’s family realized their son’s ability. Hence, they started looking out for him to build his musical skill and have been helping in any way they can. Also, learn about the life lessons we can learn from Jane Erin Carrey‘s mother.
Has Inspired Millions
During the introduction, Kodi showed difficulty in communicating, which created doubts in everyone’s mind. But once he began to sing, the whole auditorium was blown away. He proved that his condition does not limit him.
Kodi’s performance in America’s Got Talent sent shivers down everyone’s spine and was indeed the most inspiring moment. He didn’t get the standing ovation and golden buzzer for nothing.
After the performance got aired, millions of fans started sending messages to Kodi telling him how much he has inspired others, along with many autistic kids. Kodi set the message out in the world that you can achieve everything if you set your mind to it.
The whole Lee family was touched by all the messages they received from autistic kids and their parents. But more than them, we are touched by Lee’s family’s love and support for their son, which led him to where he is today. Had they not supported Kodi, none of this would have been possible.
Kodi Lee’s family is an inspiration to everyone who doubts themselves. It is a testament that you can achieve your dream regardless of life’s curves, just like Kodi did.
The 16th season winner of AGT is back in America’s Got Talent: All-Stars and is receiving tremendous love and support. Kodi snagged his place in the All-Stars finals, and with the finale around the corner, we send Kodi all the best. We are excited to see yet another amazing performance of his.
