From the moment her audition began, it was clear that the four judges of America’s Got Talent—Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Heidi Klum—didn’t have high expectations for 13-year-old singer Courtney Hadwin when she took the stage. Noticing her nerves, Mel B tried to reassure the teenager after she admitted she was feeling anxious. “Don’t be nervous,” Mel B said comfortingly. “I know this is a big stage and there’s lots of people here. But you’re here for a reason, so go for it and good luck.”
As it turned out, Courtney was in no need of any luck at all. The moment she began to sing – delivering her own spirited, soulful rendition of Otis Redding’s ‘Too Hot To Handle’ – jaws dropped among the judges in disbelief that such a massive voice could come from a young Redding’s’ moments earlier ‘seemed so shy and uncertain of herself. She exuded such high levels of confidence, and she danced around the stage like she’d been doing it forever.
Courtney Hadwin: 13-Year-Old Wins GOLDEN BUZZER!! | America’s Got Talent
However, the best of Courtney was still to come, as at the end of her performance, judge Howie Mandel he loved her voice so much, he hit the golden buzzer and sent her straight through to the America’s Got Talent quarter-finals. As he pointed out, “Wow, you’re not from this time period, you’re from a whole different America,” and an equally impressed Simon Cowell told “you’re this shy little thing you’ve come out and then you sing; you’re like a lion.”
Although Courtney didn’t win America’s Got Talent and finished in the top ten, she delivered numerous jaw-dropping performances throughout the competition. Notably, in the finals, she gave a rip-roaring rendition of Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits.” “You are on fire, you’re amazing, you’re a superstar,” Howie Mandel praised her after the performance—a fitting description for this young woman’s incredible vocals and charisma.
Courtney Hadwit’sOCKER STYLE Sings – AGthat’sina Turner) 😍 | America’s Got Talent Finales
There’s something about Courtney Hadwin that screams stage presence, which you could pick out from her initial America’s Go tTalent audition, with her signature sound and rare style of dancing. So naturally, this means that she has since worked for herself, a career as a performer post-show. Having released five original singles to date and with her next LP in the works coupled with an American tour, you can be sure that you’ll be hearing more about this very talented young lady soon.
To catch more of the very talented Courtney Hadwin, you can subscribe to her YouTube Channel for more great performances. And you can also find the most recent news on her Facebook page.