AGT star stuns the world: "It's been really hard for him"
Kodi Lee became a name to remember when he delivered a moving performance of Donny Hathaway’s A Song For You - a bold move that earned him a golden-buzzer moment which rocketed him into the next round.
More recently, the young star gave a monumental performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water.
“I’m beyond proud of him, this whole thing has been magical,” the breakout star’s mother, Tina Lee told PEOPLE.
“Just to see the way that people are accepting him and loving him, it’s magical.”
Kodi’s audition went viral after it aired on TV screens - garnering over 42 million views on Youtube alone.
“I never expected this to happen,” Tina said.
“I feel relieved I’m not the only one who’s seen this extraordinary ability. He’s got a real talent, and I’ve always known he’s this real talent.”
Tina can usually be seen in the shadows as she cheers on her son or aiding him on stage. She credits their family’s support for Kodi’s success.
“We worked as a family to help him just to be able to exist and co-exist with autism in our world,” she said.
“It’s been really hard for him, especially when your emotions are harder, they’re harder for him to deal with. The emotions are intensified for him. Our family works together to carry him through and support him.”