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Why You Recognize the Beautiful Finale Song Kodi Lee Sang with Stephen Sanchez
Here's how two very different musical prodigies had the whole crowd swaying at the Fantasy League Finale.
Through the years, America’s Got Talent has been a treasure trove of incredible musicians, but few performances have surprised us like this unexpected duet during the AGT: Fantasy League finale. For the first time, 1950s-style crooner Stephen Sanchez and musical prodigy Kodi Lee — AGT’s Season 14 winner and Fantasy League finalist — performed together on stage. Even host Terry Crews commented on their “great musical connection," leaving us to wonder when the follow-up is coming.
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Sanchez's smooth vocals, reminiscent of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley, immediately transport us back in time, even though he is just 21 years old. The 26-year-old Lee, who is blind and autistic, possesses a rare audio-photographic memory, which allows him to recall any song after just one listen. The two used their unique talents to bring down the house with a melodic mashup that ranks up there with the best to ever take the stage, like everyone on Fantasy League.
What song did Kodi Lee and Stephen Sanchez sing?
They sang Sanchez’s viral hit “Until I Found You,” a soulful ballad initially performed as a duet with Em Beihold. Don’t be deceived by the song’s instant familiarity. It was written recently by Sanchez in 2021 and is not a cover from a different era; the timeless track gained over a billion views on TikTok and rose to number 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Song chart. The song also captivated viewers of the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia and helped Season 2 nab the top spot on Billboard’s Top TV Songs chart.
Lee fully embraced the retro vibe of “Until I Found You” as he deftly played the piano, dressed in a bejeweled white suit. The dreamy country-pop tune kicked into high gear when Lee and Sanchez began to harmonize on the second verse, bringing a real emotional intensity to the Fantasy League stage.
The classic style is right up Lee’s alley: he is fond of channeling the late, great Elvis, covering hits like “Blue Christmas” and “Blue Suede Shoes” in his smooth baritone. In the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat for fans, Lee shared a rendition of his personal favorite, Presley’s “Suspicious Minds,” on Instagram.
Who is Stephen Sanchez?
The California-native rose to stardom the way most teens only dream of: by going viral on TikTok. He posted songs that he wrote in his bedroom while in high school and quickly racked up millions of views, with a record deal to follow. He credits his grandparents for inspiring his love of Rat Pack era crooners like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin. His debut album, "Angel Face," is full of these classic sounds.
What did Kodi Lee and Stephen Sanchez say about each other?
It’s hard to believe this was the first time the talented duo has performed together. When asked by Terry Crews how they felt about it, Sanchez enthused, “It was incredible. He’s such a talented performer. I watched him four years ago when he first auditioned, and it’s been amazing to get to do this with him.”
As for Lee, his big smile said it all. “It was such an honor to be performing with him,” he told Crews before the musicians embraced in a hug.
It’s heartening to see that despite the two young singers' sudden rise to stardom, they have stayed in touch with their roots as musicians and are pushing the envelope with new collaborations. Fingers crossed, there’s more to come.
Watch all-new episodes of America's Got Talent: Fantasy League, airing Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock.
