Musical savant Kodi Lee wowed the crowd with a stunning rendition of Calum Scott’s 2018 hit You are the Reason on the first semifinals show of America’s Got Talent, which aired Tuesday.
The 23-year-old singer, who is blind and autistic, had the entire Dolby Theatre on its feet after he performed, showering him in a thunderous applause.
‘Kodi, you just keep changing the world, every time you step on this stage,’ said judge Gabrielle Union, 46, who had given him her golden buzzer on an earlier show.
Stunning: Musical savant Kodi Lee wowed the crowd with a stunning rendition of Calum Scott’s 2018 hit You are the Reason on the first semifinals show of America’s Got Talent, which aired Tuesday
Applause: The 23-year-old singer, who is blind and autistic, had the entire Dolby Theatre on its feet after he performed, showering him in a thunderous applause.
‘Every breath you take, every note you hit, you make the world 1,000 percent better. We are all so grateful to be in your orbit.’
Judge Simon Cowell, 59, agreed, saying his breath was taken away by Kodi’s work.
‘Every time you come on, in particular tonight, you put your twist, your take on a song that makes you, in my opinion, probably one of the most special, talented contestants,’ he said.
Proud Gabrielle: ‘Every breath you take, every note you hit, you make the world 1,000 percent better. We are all so grateful to be in your orbit’
Before the performance, Kodi and his family were shown touring Los Angeles’ Capitol Records studio, where artists like Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra once recorded.
Kodi delighted in playing a piano that Stevie Wonder previously used, not only because of who had played it but because the instrument allowed him to convey his feelings to others.
‘Growing up with Kodi as my older brother, he couldn’t express love the way that we expressed it towards him,’ his brother Derek said, as others noted Kodi didn’t like to be touched.
‘Music was a really big turning point,’ Derek added. ‘Once he started playing those keys, it changed everything.’
‘I don’t even see Kodi as having any disabilities,’ he opined. ‘If anything, he can do more than any other person.’
Delight: Kodi delighted in playing a piano that Stevie Wonder previously used, not only because of who had played it but because the instrument allowed him to convey his feelings to others
Just five of the show’s 11 acts would make it through to the next round, and guest judge Sean Hayes, 49, was on hand to help the judges’ table with their critiques.
The first act up was The Ndlovu Youth Choir, from Limpopo, South Africa, which performed a mesmerizing cover of Steve Winwood’s Higher Love set to propulsive dance moves.
In their impoverished villages back home, running water and electricity were often hard to come by, so the kind of outsized fame they’d attained on AGT was ‘amazing,’ one member said.
First act: The first act up was The Ndlovu Youth Choir, from Limpopo, South Africa, which performed a mesmerizing cover of Steve Winwood’s Higher Love set to propulsive dance moves
‘The Internet went crazy—newspapers and television, everywhere,’ he recalled, astonished. ‘Everyone was just so proud. Even the president of South Africa sent us a message.’
‘This journey, it became bigger than we expected,’ he marveled, as viewers learned that the choir was suddenly getting requests to perform all over the world.
Its members, who ranged in age from 13 to 27, danced onstage in their own confetti, their joyful enthusiasm encouraging everyone in the audience to rise from their chairs.
Worldwide: ‘This journey, it became bigger than we expected,’ he marveled, as viewers learned that the choir was suddenly getting requests to perform all over the world
‘For me, this performance was in a way higher league to anything you’ve done prior to this,’ Simon told the choir. ‘I loved everything about it. You really deserve a place in the final.’
Up next was pint-sized singer Ansley Burns, 13, who had been saved as a wildcard in the quarterfinals, only to return with a shaky performance of Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty.
Her sweet personality impressed the judges more than her song did.
Simon’s praise: ‘For me, this performance was in a way higher league to anything you’ve done prior to this,’ Simon told the choir. ‘I loved everything about it. You really deserve a place in the final’
Cry pretty: Up next was pint-sized singer Ansley Burns, 13, who had been saved as a wildcard in the quarterfinals, only to return with a shaky performance of Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty
‘There is no denying that America loves Ansley Burns,’ said Julianne Hough, 31, calling the little girl a ‘ray of sunshine,’ and complimenting her for choosing the song herself.
‘You’re adorable, you should have your own series on one of those kids’ shows,’ offered judge Howie Mandel, 63. ‘That song was too big for you. I think that song did not do you justice.’
The shirt-ripping Messoudi Brothers, a muscular acrobatic act, had almost been out of the running when one member broke his foot a few months ago—but decided to keep at it.
No denying: ‘There is no denying that America loves Ansley Burns,’ said Julianne Hough, 31, calling the little girl a ‘ray of sunshine,’ and complimenting her for choosing the song herself
No denying: ‘You’re adorable, you should have your own series on one of those kids’ shows,’ offered judge Howie Mandel, 63. ‘That song was too big for you. I think that song did not do you justice’
‘We worked so hard, we decided there’s no way we’re going to give it up,’ the man said, revealing that they would be doing the trick on which he injured himself for AGT.
Simon had told them the act wasn’t ‘dangerous enough,’ so they were doing something that had never been done before.
‘I’m really frightened,’ he admitted, ‘but to achieve great heights, you risk great falls.’
Shirtless: The shirt-ripping Messoudi Brothers, a muscular acrobatic act, had almost been out of the running when one member broke his foot a few months ago—but decided to keep at it
Appealing directly to their two biggest fans on the judging table—Julianne and Gabrielle—the men danced to Ginuwine’s Pony, famously featured in the film Magic Mike.
They immediately brought Julianne into the act, having her lie on one brother’s back as he lifted her and his legs at the same time.
The brothers then performed handstands on each others’ heads, flipping backward onto the ground as the music segued into Zayde Wolf’s Cold-Blooded.
Handstands: The brothers then performed handstands on each others’ heads, flipping backward onto the ground as the music segued into Zayde Wolf’s Cold-Blooded
But their biggest move was the last, in which they hugged each other from behind, turned their bodies upside-down and rose high into the air, one brother supporting the two others.
The judges gave them a standing ovation, with Simon taking credit for their new moves.
‘Much better ending, much better performance,’ he raved. ‘I’m going to be standing with you tomorrow if you get through.’
Big move: But their biggest move was the last, in which they hugged each other from behind, turned their bodies upside-down and rose high into the air, one brother supporting the two others
Big fan: ‘I watch the show at home—I’m such a big fan—but to see you guys here in person, right in front of me… everything is bigger,’ Sean said naughtily
‘I watch the show at home—I’m such a big fan—but to see you guys here in person, right in front of me… everything is bigger,’ Sean said naughtily.
Violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, 11, got an adorable rave from ‘his biggest fan,’ brother Adam, 7.
‘I’m so proud of him, being on America’s Got Talent, it’s like he’s my superhero,’ Adam said. ‘He’s the bravest person in the entire world… way braver than Batman.’
The winner of Simon’s golden buzzer, Tyler was in remission from leukemia, but often played for patients at hospitals.
Violinist: Violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, 11, got an adorable rave from ‘his biggest fan,’ brother Adam, 7
Fiddle: He switched into classical music and fiddled ecstatically as multi-colored streamers came shooting from the ceiling, covering him and the judges’ table
His AGT set found him playing Ariana Grande’s Break Free for a group of young cancer survivors wearing overalls and tie-dyed shirts, who waved giant light sticks at him.
He switched into classical music and fiddled ecstatically as multi-colored streamers came shooting from the ceiling, covering him and the judges’ table.
‘Tyler! Tyler! Tyler!’ the crowd chanted as Simon referred to him as a ‘great showman’ who’d just put on a performance that defined the words ‘joy’ and ‘talent.’
‘Your greatest trial has now become your greatest triumph,’ Julianne raved.
Voice artist: Voice artist Greg Morton, who followed Tyler, talked about his difficult childhood, in which he was ‘bullied a lot’ and ‘called a lot of names’
Voice artist Greg Morton, who followed Tyler, talked about his difficult childhood, in which he was ‘bullied a lot’ and ‘called a lot of names.’
‘All I ever wanted was to be liked,’ Greg said. ‘I had to figure out a way to win them over.’
He spent his afternoons lost in cartoons, learning the voices and performing them back to his fellow students on the school bus the next day.
‘It made me feel like I was accepted,’ Greg recalled. ‘I had found something that I was finally good at.’
Inspired: He spent his afternoons lost in cartoons, learning the voices and performing them back to his fellow students on the school bus the next day
In a nod to those days on the bus, Greg’s act featured the voices of Daffy Duck, Mickey Mouse, Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo, The Simpsons, and The Jetsons, among others.
‘Wow, wow, wow,’ said Julianne. ‘I hope every animator, and director for animation, is watching this, because you have a job every single day of every single hour… you can do every single voice. You do belong, you are accepted, and we love you.’
‘I thought tonight was a mess,’ Simon countered. ‘I don’t think you nailed it tonight.’
Voice work: In a nod to those days on the bus, Greg’s act featured the voices of Daffy Duck, Mickey Mouse, Elmer Fudd, Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo, The Simpsons, and The Jetsons, among others
Comedian Jackie Fabulous, last week’s wildcard save, tried to lighten the mood.
In a video shown before her set, she pretended to be presenting the case for herself in a courtroom, imploring viewers to vote for her as she sprawled across a table.
‘I want to win people, and with your help, people of the jury—nay! People of America, I could be the first comedian to win America’s Got Talent,’ she declared. ‘The first female comedian! Do you know how big that is? My mom doesn’t.’
Wildcard: Comedian Jackie Fabulous, last week’s wildcard save, tried to lighten the mood
Her jokes, about being a ‘fat actor,’ losing weight and getting cocky, talking too much on first dates, and being more available to men while her standards are low, all landed.
‘I find you funny, but not only do I find you funny, I find you authentic,’ raved Howie.
‘Every time you hit the stage, you deliver,’ Gabrielle added, calling her ‘hot.’
Funny and authentic: ‘I find you funny, but not only do I find you funny, I find you authentic,’ raved Howie
Louisiana bluesman Robert Finley, 65, was ready for his turn in the spotlight after too many years in the shadows, premiering his new song, Age Don’t Mean a Thing.
‘I feel like everything happens for a reason,’ Robert affirmed before he played, remembering how he bought his first guitar at age 10, using money set aside for a pair of shoes.
‘There was a connection that I just couldn’t leave alone,’ he recalled. ‘But my dad believed the blues was the devil’s music, so I decided to put music to the side.’
Blues: Louisiana bluesman Robert Finley, 65, was ready for his turn in the spotlight after too many years in the shadows, premiering his new song, Age Don’t Mean a Thing
Reason: ‘I feel like everything happens for a reason,’ Robert affirmed before he played, remembering how he bought his first guitar at age 10, using money set aside for a pair of shoes
‘He was concerned about my soul. Turns out, music is my soul.’
‘I would give anything to be half as hip and cool as you,’ Sean said afterward, suggesting that he be in the next Tarantino movie. ‘You are so different from anything in the competition. I love it.’
‘I know more about the Jews than the blues, but it felt so authentic, so real,’ Howie said.
Concerned: ‘He was concerned about my soul. Turns out, music is my soul’
Magician Eric Chien wrestled with Simon’s previous directive to ‘go bigger’ in his turn onstage.
‘Do I stay true to who I am, or do I take a risk and step out of my comfort zone?’ he wondered.
‘I made it this far, but if I want a show in Vegas, I can’t just be doing close-up magic.’
Magic: Magician Eric Chien wrestled with Simon’s previous directive to ‘go bigger’ in his turn onstage
Out of an empty bag, he produced a map of the world and cards with photos of faraway places. He made the cards stand and even lean with the wave of his hands, produced items from behind them, then swept his hands over the map to reveal a topography of famous sites.
‘Your definition of big and my definition of big are slightly different,’ Simon reeled. ‘I hate being negative tonight, but… I hadn’t got a bloody clue what’s going on there.’
Light Balance Kids, a blacklight troupe from the Ukraine, blew the crowd away performing as a group of superhero robots dancing to tunes like the Scorpions Rock You Like a Hurricane and Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer.
Empty bag: Out of an empty bag, he produced a map of the world and cards with photos of faraway places. He made the cards stand and even lean with the wave of his hands, produced items from behind them, then swept his hands over the map to reveal a topography of famous sites
No clue: ‘Your definition of big and my definition of big are slightly different,’ Simon reeled. ‘I hate being negative tonight, but… I hadn’t got a bloody clue what’s going on there’
‘When people heard we wanted to be professional dancers, they thought we were just a bunch of kids with our heads in the clouds,’ one member said. ‘But now our dreams are starting to come alive.’
As they danced in perfect time with one another, they lit up the audience like thousands of tiny dots, before one of the little robots rose into the air at the end.
‘I am delighted to tell you I was a complete and utter idiot last time I judged you,’ Simon said, predicting their hard work, imagination and creativity would get them into the finals.
Kids troupe: Light Balance Kids, a blacklight troupe from the Ukraine, blew the crowd away performing as a group of superhero robots dancing to tunes like the Scorpions Rock You Like a Hurricane and Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer
Dance moves: As they danced in perfect time with one another, they lit up the audience like thousands of tiny dots, before one of the little robots rose into the air at the end
‘There isn’t another act that I see more clearly this season to be a Vegas act,’ added Howie, who claimed he’d even invest his money in them.
Singer Benicio Bryant, 14, capped off the show with a stripped-down performance of an original song about how important it was to let yourself fall apart sometimes.
It was as far away from the glitz of Light Balance Kids as one could get, and earned him a standing ovation from all four judges.
Vegas act: ‘There isn’t another act that I see more clearly this season to be a Vegas act,’ added Howie, who claimed he’d even invest his money in them
‘Benicio, that was pretty outstanding—I’ve got to be honest with you,’ Simon said. ‘Smart choice, great taste, I’m going to be seeing you in the final in two weeks’ time.’
‘I think you could win this thing,’ Howie agreed. ‘Good luck, buddy.’
Watch America’s Got Talent’s results show Wednesday at 8 pm on NBC.
Show finale: Singer Benicio Bryant, 14, capped off the show with a stripped-down performance of an original song about how important it was to let yourself fall apart sometimes
Outstanding: ‘Benicio, that was pretty outstanding—I’ve got to be honest with you,’ Simon said. ‘Smart choice, great taste, I’m going to be seeing you in the final in two weeks’ time’
Results: Watch America’s Got Talent’s results show Wednesday at 8 pm on NBC