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Autism Digest May 2023

"HECK YEAH!" Kodi Lee, a remarkable performer, claimed the coveted Golden Ticket. With his awe-inspiring musical talent and heartfelt performance, Kodi's triumph touched the hearts of millions, leaving an indelible mark on the show's history.

Simon Cowell (above, left) is a judge and executive producer of NBC’s America’s Got Talent (AGT) and renowned for his honesty, toughness, and, most important, joy, which is obvious when he recognizes the talent as ‘incredible.’ On the Season 14 program, Kodi Lee (above, right) -- a blind pianist, singer, and autistic – initially wowed the judges – several in tears – with his first song, Leon Russell's "A Song for You." In the quarterfinals, he performed Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water" to a standing ovation, and
in the semifinals and finals, Lee performed "You Are the Reason" by Calum Scott, the latter with special guest Leona Lewis. He won the entire contest with the most public votes nationally. He is the first autistic and developmentally disabled person to win the show.

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