The mother of America's Got Talent winner Kodi Lee, Tina Lee, said she was "surprised" by the controversy surrounding the firing of judge Gabrielle Union. It's been a rough offseason for the show, but it hasn't impacted its most adored and revered champion.
Kodi, who commanded the country's attention like no contestant of America's Got Talent had ever before, was a revelation. Diagnosed with autism at age 4 and born with optic nerve hypoplasia, there really was no way to describe Kodi's performances other than with an agape mouth and eyes wide in amazement. Kodi made time stand still as he brought us into his virtuosic world, inspiring those with and without physical and social obstacles to pursue our dreams. Now that his magnificent, unbelievable run on the show is over, it is both his autism and lack of sight that comes as somewhat of a strength in a situation like this, where the integrity of the man who supported him through this journey, Simon Cowell, has come into question. Kodi is unaware of the toxic work environment that has tainted the image of America's Got Talent, and he's likely better off not knowing.
In an interview with People, Tina said, “Kodi doesn’t understand" in response to their reaction to Union's firing. Kodi has since signed with Cowell's Syco record label and Columbia. Tina still speaks highly of Cowell, who supported Kodi throughout the season. Although Cowell is under fire for having a sexist double standard when it comes to the women he works with, Tina and Kodi have not discussed these issues. Tina said, "Those are emotions that are too advanced for him. It’s just better to keep him away from any negativity because he’s just a very happy boy.”
Both Union and Julianne Hough were cut from the series after only one season. Tina said of the two fired judges, "We didn’t really have any correspondence with them, just during the show and other than the moments on stage. That was it." Cowell and Howie Mandel played much more significant roles in Kodi's journey. The unheralded hero in Kodi's ascent to superstardom, Tina said she has been staying in the loop on the developments with the racial insensitivity and negative culture at the show, saying, “It was surprising. We had none of those feelings so it was very surprising."
Through each spine-tingling melody, Kodi showed millions of viewers that there is truly no such thing as disability. In the drama that has unfolded since his victory, his impairments have once again been a virtue. As the rest of us struggle to come to grips with yet another uncomfortable truth of the murky underpinnings that many of these network shows are built upon, Kodi remains happy.
Source: People