America's Got Talent: Kodi Lee brings judges to tears

SCREEN CAPTURE / AGT

Kodi Lee is a crowd favorite in the 14th season of America's Got Talent.

For the third time on this season's America's Got Talent, Kodi Lee, who is blind and autistic, got a standing ovation and brought the judges to tears.

Lee, 22, saing and accompanied himself on piano in a moving rendition of Calum Scott's "You Are The Reason," in the first night of semi-finals. 

At the end, the audience is chanting the Korean American crooner's name and several judges in tears. Judge Gabrielle Union is crying. "Everytime you sing ... you keep changing the world ... we are all so grateful to be in your orbit," she says.

"Kodi Lee, he just transcends humanity," judge Julianne Hough told ET. "I don't even know what else to say.

Guest judge Sean Hayes of Will and Grace admits that he had tears in his eyes.

Lee is “probably one of the most special, talented contestants… my breath was taken away during that.” said judge Simon Cowell.

Magician Eric Chen was warmly received but his act with playing cards and producing 3-dimensional reproductions of world landmarks failed to win accolades from Cowell, perhaps the most influential of the judges.

The second group of semi-finalists will perform next Tuesday. Only five of the 11 acts presented Tuesday night will go on to the finals.

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