From the moment 13-year-old Courtney Hadwin stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage in 2019, the judges—Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Heidi Klum—weren’t sure what to expect. Her shy demeanor and nervous fidgeting made them skeptical, but Mel B offered a few words of encouragement: “Don’t be nervous. You’re here for a reason, so go for it and good luck.”
Then, the unthinkable happened.
As soon as the music started, Courtney unleashed a jaw-dropping rendition of Otis Redding’s “Too Hot to Handle,” transforming before their eyes. The timid teenager vanished, replaced by a fearless, electrifying performer with powerhouse vocals and stage presence beyond her years.
The judges were stunned. Simon’s eyes widened, Mel B gasped, and Howie Mandel couldn’t hold back his excitement. The moment Courtney hit her final note, Howie slammed the golden buzzer, sending her straight to the quarter-finals.
“Oh my gosh, you’re not from this era; you’re from a whole different era,” Howie marveled. Simon added, “You were this shy little thing when you came out, and then you sing, and you’re like a lion.”
That night, Courtney didn’t just audition—she made history.
