Courtney Hadwin, a shy looking teen, steps onto the Americas Got Talent stage, creating a hush of anticipation

From her very first moments on the “America’s Got Talent” stage in 2019, the judges—Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Heidi Klum—seemed skeptical of 13-year-old Courtney Hadwin. Mel B attempted to ease Courtney’s visible nerves, saying, “Don’t be nervous. You’re here for a reason, so go for it and good luck.”

However, Courtney quickly dispelled all doubts. Launching into a fiery, soulful rendition of Otis Redding’s “Too Hot To Handle,” she transformed from a timid teen into a confident powerhouse. The judges were visibly stunned by her vocal prowess and stage presence, which belied her young age.

The climax of Courtney’s audition came when Howie Mandel, profoundly moved by her performance, hit his golden buzzer, catapulting her directly into the quarter-finals. “Oh my gosh, you’re not from this era; you’re from a whole different era,” he remarked. Simon Cowell added, “You were this shy little thing when you came out, and then you sing and you’re like a lion.”