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'America's Got Talent' Winner Kodi Lee Will Not Receive $1 Million

From Good Housekeeping

On last night's season 14 finale of America's Got Talent, 22-year-old singer Kodi Lee was declared the winner.

In true nail-biter fashion, Kodi beat out the Detroit Youth Choir, Ryan Niemiller, Voices of Service, V. Unbeatable, and Emanne Beasha to claim the title. Kodi's mom, Tina Lee, said that the vocalist made plans months ago about what he would do if he won the show.

"Kodi would love to have a grand piano in every color possible," Tina told GoodHousekeeping.com earlier this summer. "As long as Kodi is playing music, recording music, and performing live, he is in his happy place."

After being announced as the winner, host Terry Crews proudly boasted that Kodi would be given the grand prize of $1 million. The only thing is ... it's a bit more complicated than that.

As several publications have pointed out in the past, the end of AGT's final episode clarifies that: "The prize, which totals $1,000,000, is payable in a financial annuity over forty years, or the contestant may choose to receive the present cash value of such annuity.”

Photo credit: Frazer Harrison
Photo credit: Frazer Harrison

What does that mean exactly? Basically, Kodi isn't going to be an instant millionaire. If the vocalist opted for the first payment option, he'll supposedly get about $25,000 for the next 40 years from AGT, and that's not taking into account taxation. If he wanted to "receive the present cash value of such annuity," he'd likely pocket about $150,000 to $200,000 (Forbes estimates $300,000 before taxes) — a lot less than the $1 million frequently touted on finale night.

With all of that being said, you can't possibly put a price on the publicity that America's Got Talent gave to the young artist. Like many other successful singers on the show, many have gone on to create albums, go on tours, and much more because of AGT. Oh, and that's after the artist receives the other part of the top prize — a three-day stint at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino from November 7 to 10.

And regardless, you can't put a price on Kodi's talent.


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