Kodi Lee sat down at the piano, and everything changed. Honestly, if you watched America's Got Talent season 14 back in 2019, you probably remember exactly where you were when that happened. It wasn't just a "good" TV moment. It was a cultural shift for a show that, at the time, was entering its fourteenth year and starting to feel a little bit like it was running on autopilot.
But 2019 was different.
The lineup changed. The energy shifted. Tyra Banks was out as host, replaced by Terry Crews, who brought this high-octane, genuinely supportive energy that the show desperately needed. Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough joined the judges' desk alongside veterans Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel. It felt fresh. It felt like a reboot without being a total overhaul. People still debate whether this specific judging panel worked—it was Julianne and Gabrielle’s only season—but you can’t deny the talent that year was absolutely stacked.
The Kodi Lee Effect and the Reality of Talent
Let’s talk about Kodi Lee. He was 22, blind, and had autism. When his mother, Tina, led him onto the stage, the room went quiet. You could almost feel the collective breath-holding in the Dolby Theatre. Then he started singing Leon Russell's "A Song for You," and the world basically melted.
It was the first Golden Buzzer of the season, handed out by Gabrielle Union.
What made season 14 special wasn't just the "sob stories" that AGT is often criticized for leaning on too heavily. It was the undeniable skill. Kodi wasn't just a "heartwarming" act; he was a legitimate musical prodigy with perfect pitch and a soulful grit to his voice that most professional recording artists would kill for. He eventually won the whole thing, beating out a lineup that, in any other year, could have easily taken the crown.
People forget how tough the competition was. You had V.Unbeatable, the acrobatic dance troupe from Mumbai. They were doing things with gravity that didn't seem physically possible. They’d toss people from the back of the stage to the front, over twenty feet in the air, with zero safety nets. Simon Cowell called them the best dancers he’d ever seen on any version of the show. They ended up in fourth place, which still feels like a crime to some hardcore fans.
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Then there was Emanne Beasha. She was ten. An opera singer with the voice of a seasoned professional. It was jarring to see this tiny kid open her mouth and produce sounds that belonged in the Met. She got the Golden Buzzer from guest judge Jay Leno during the Judge Cuts.
Behind the Scenes: The Judging Shakeup
The chemistry on the panel during America's Got Talent season 14 was... complicated. On screen, it looked like a party. Off screen, we eventually learned through various reports in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter that things were tense.
Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough were brought in to replace Mel B and Heidi Klum. It was a big move. Union, in particular, was vocal about the culture behind the scenes. This eventually led to a massive investigation by NBC and SAG-AFTRA regarding workplace environment. While the show remained a ratings juggernaut, the friction was there.
Does that change the viewing experience? For some, yeah. But for the average person tuning in on a Tuesday night, the focus remained on the variety. Season 14 leaned hard into the "Variety" aspect of the title. We had:
- The Sentimental: Voices of Service, a quartet of military veterans using music as therapy. They finished fifth.
- The Weird: Bir Khalsa Group. Watching men get smashed with sledgehammers while blindfolded is not everyone's cup of tea, but it’s definitely "Talent."
- The Hilarious: Ryan Niemiller, the "Learn to Spin" comedian. He was born with a disability that affected both his arms, and his self-deprecating humor was some of the sharpest the show had ever seen. He took third place.
Why Season 14 Ranks So High for Fans
If you look at the YouTube metrics, America's Got Talent season 14 clips have billions—with a B—of views. It’s the season that went viral more than any other.
Why?
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Authenticity. Or at least, the closest thing to it you can get on a highly produced reality show. Tyler Butler-Figueroa, an 11-year-old violinist and cancer survivor, didn't just play the violin; he performed with a joy that felt contagious. He got Simon’s Golden Buzzer. Benicio Bryant, a young singer who refused to do covers and insisted on performing original songs in the finals—that took guts. It didn't win him the $1 million, but it earned him a lot of respect in the industry.
There was also the "X-Factor" of the guest judges. Season 14 brought in:
- Brad Paisley
- Dwyane Wade
- Ellie Kemper
- Jay Leno
Wade giving his Golden Buzzer to the acrobatic group V.Unbeatable was a standout moment because he genuinely looked terrified for their safety half the time. It added a layer of stakes that sometimes gets lost when the judges become too "TV-polished."
The Final Standings That Surprised Everyone
The finale was a two-night event that felt like a proper concert. When it came down to the top 5, it was anyone's game. You had:
- Kodi Lee (Winner)
- Detroit Youth Choir (Runners-up)
- Ryan Niemiller
- V.Unbeatable
- Voices of Service
The fact that a dance crew as talented as V.Unbeatable or a comedian as funny as Ryan Niemiller didn't win shows just how much the audience connected with Kodi Lee's journey. It was a landslide.
The Controversy Nobody Talks About Enough
While everyone focuses on the winner, the exit of Julianne Hough and Gabrielle Union after just one season remains a massive "what if" in the show's history. NBC eventually released a statement saying the show has a "long history of change" with judges, but the optics were messy. It led to the return of Heidi Klum and the addition of Sofia Vergara in season 15.
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Season 14 was the bridge between the "classic" era of the 2010s and the modern era of the 2020s. It was the last season before the pandemic hit and forced the show into that weird, audience-less "empty lot" filming style of season 15. In a way, it was the last "normal" big-production season for a couple of years.
How to Revisit the Best Moments
If you’re looking to dive back into America's Got Talent season 14, don't just watch the winner's clips. You’re missing the texture of the season.
Check out Greg Morton. He was a 60-year-old voice impressionist who did a one-man Star Wars skit that was frankly incredible. He didn't make the finals, but he was a reminder that talent doesn't have an expiration date.
Also, look for the Light Balance Kids. They were a spin-off of the original Light Balance from season 12, and their LED-based choreography was arguably better than the original group's.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Acts
If you're a fan of the show or someone thinking about auditioning, season 14 offers a masterclass in "The Package." It’s not just about being good at a skill.
- Story matters, but skill wins. Kodi Lee had a powerful story, but he won because he could out-play and out-sing everyone else.
- Originality is a risk. Benicio Bryant showed that doing your own music is a gamble. It might not win the popular vote, but it builds a brand.
- Variety is the lifeblood. Acts like the Messoudi Brothers (hand-to-hand acrobatics) showed that even "traditional" circus acts can feel modern with the right music and personality.
To really understand the impact of this season, watch Kodi Lee’s audition followed immediately by his performance of "You Are The Reason" in the finals. The growth in his confidence is palpable.
For those wanting to track where these performers are now, most are still touring. V.Unbeatable returned for AGT: The Champions and finally got their win. Kodi Lee is a regular headliner at the "AGT Superstars Live" show in Las Vegas at the Luxor.
If you're looking for the full episodes, they occasionally pop up on streaming services like Peacock or Hulu, but the best way to catch the specific performances is through the official AGT YouTube channel, which archives the high-definition versions of every major act. Search specifically for the "Judge Cuts" episodes—that’s where the real hidden gems often live before the "big" names take over the live shows.