America’s Got Talent British schoolgirl star Courtney Hadwin performs at school in 2015

A newly unearthed video shows breakout America’s Got Talent star Courtney Hadwin showing off her stunning singing voice at a school open mic night three years before she appeared on the US TV show. 

The schoolgirl was filmed performing in the atrium of The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, County Durham, in September 2015.

Then just 11 years old and in year 7, Courtney is seen confidently belting out Great Big World and Christina Aguilera’s soaring duet, Say Something, into a microphone set up on the mezzanine – leaving her teachers and peers in awe. 

The video was uploaded to the school’s Facebook page and has since been viewed nearly 5,000 times. But that is just a fraction of the attention that Courtney has garnered for her latest performance.  

Courtney, now 13, has become an overnight sensation following her amazing audition on Tuesday night’s episode of America’s Got Talent. 

She received a standing ovation from all four judges for her stirring rendition of Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle and impressed Howie Mandel so much he hit the ‘golden buzzer’, fast-tracking her to the live quarterfinals.  

Schoolgirl Courtney Hadwin was filmed performing at an open mic in the atrium of The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, County Durham, in September 2015

Courtney is seen confidently belting out Great Big World and Christina Aguilera's  duet, Say Something, into a microphone set up on the mezzanine - leaving her teachers and peers in awe

Courtney is seen confidently belting out Great Big World and Christina Aguilera’s duet, Say Something, into a microphone set up on the mezzanine – leaving her teachers and peers in awe

Courtney Hadwin, 13, from Hesleden, near Peterlee, in County Durham, won herself a place in the America’s Got Talent live shows after impressing judges with her audition

The teenager is no stranger to talent competitions, having narrowly missed out on the top prize on The Voice Kids UK last year.

But unlike many budding stars Courntey is not a show-off when she is away from the spotlight. Indeed her own grandfather describes her as ‘painfully shy’. 

Courtney, a student at The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, has been performing locally since primary school but first made headlines last year when a video of her singing during a lunchtime open mic session went viral.

The schoolgirl appeared nervous on stage but broke out into a confident performance

Judges Heidi Klum and Mel B were left in awe of Courtney's commanding performance 

Judges Heidi Klum and Mel B were left in awe of Courtney’s commanding performance 

Judge Howie Mandel was so impressed he hit the 'golden buzzer', meaning Courtney will be fast-tracked to a place in the live shows

Judge Howie Mandel was so impressed he hit the ‘golden buzzer’, meaning Courtney will be fast-tracked to a place in the live shows

The schoolgirl, pictured in uniform at The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee

The schoolgirl, pictured in uniform at The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee

Courtney Hadwin sings her heart out on stage at a local festival in Hartlepool last year

Courtney Hadwin sings her heart out on stage at a local festival in Hartlepool last year

She is supported in her singing by her mother Annmarie and father Paul, who have sent her to lessons to help train her voice. She is an older sister to Paul and Melanie.

What is the golden buzzer?  

The Golden Buzzer gives each of the four judges and the host the opportunity to send an act straight to the quarterfinals.

This allows the act to skip a judge vote and more rounds of competition.

Each judge can only use the golden buzzer once during the auditions stage of the competition.    

Mandel became the third to use the golden buzzer this season, following Tyra Banks, who used it for acrobatic group Zurcaroh and Cowell who used it for singer Michael Ketterer.

In a 2016 interview, Mrs Hadwin described how her daughter, then just in primary school, worked tirelessly on her voice. 

She said: ‘She comes in from school, does her homework and then she practises singing every night.’

Speaking to FEMAIL today, neighbour Lesley Creamer told how she hears the talented teenager ‘singing through the walls’. 

She added: ‘She doesn’t really speak but when she sings, you can really hear her.’

Courtney’s quiet nature was apparent when she stepped on stage to audition in the packed auditorium during a trip to Los Angeles earlier this year.

She was reassured by judge and former Spice Girl Mel B, who said: ‘I know this is a big stage with lots of people here but you’re here for a reason so go for it and good luck.’ 

The emotional schoolgirl hugged her father on stage amid the thunderous applause 

The emotional schoolgirl hugged her father on stage amid the thunderous applause 

Judge Howie, who compared Courtney to a young Janis Joplin, also walked up on stage to congratulate the young singer as presenter Tyra Banks, right, looked on

Judge Howie, who compared Courtney to a young Janis Joplin, also walked up on stage to congratulate the young singer as presenter Tyra Banks, right, looked on

Child star: Courtney’s achievements so far

By the age of 11, Courtney Hadwin, now 13 had already: 

  • reached the grand final of Teenstar UK, got to the final of the Open Mic UK contest
  • won the Red Dreams 1voice under-16s competition
  • reached the Bring It On UK Final.
  • got through to the Beyond The Lights Finals
  • performed at charity events across the North East
  • reached the finals of the Soundwaves music competition at 02 Academy Newcastle
  • won the Hartlepool Carnival Under-16 talent show
  • came 1st and two 2nd places at the Hartlepool Music and Arts Festival
  • sang at both the Hartlepool fireworks display and Christmas lights switch-on

As the music started, Courtney’s nerves disappeared and she launched into a confident performance of Redding’s 1968 hit, complete with enthusiastic dance moves befitting of a fully-fledged rocker.

Host Tyra Banks, who was watching from the wings with Mr Hadwin, was left in awe of the performance. 

The transformation stunned judge Simon Cowell, who said: ‘Bloody hell Courtney. 

‘You were this shy little thing when you came out. Then you sing and you’re like a lion. I mean, genuinely incredible.’  

But it was comedian and actor Mandel who sealed her fate. 

The judge compared the 13-year-old to Janis Joplin, who won a record deal as a youngster at a festival. 

Though he couldn’t offer a record deal, he said the best he could do for Courtney was to press the Golden Buzzer, parachuting her straight to the live show. 

‘You are not from this era. You’re from a whole different era,’ he said. 

Each judge can only use the Golden Buzzer for one act during the audition stages, so the Canadian was clearly overwhelmed by the teenager’s talent.

Courtney, a student at The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, appeared nervous as she walked on stage for her audition in a packed auditorium

Courtney, a student at The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, appeared nervous as she walked on stage for her audition in a packed auditorium

The pupil is known for her expressive dance moves, giving judges an all-round performance

The pupil is known for her expressive dance moves, giving judges an all-round performance

Host Tyra, who was watching backstage with Courtney's father, was shocked by her confidence

Host Tyra, who was watching backstage with Courtney’s father, was shocked by her confidence

The transformation stunned judge Simon Cowell, who said: 'You were this shy little thing when you came out. Then you sing and you're like a lion. I mean, genuinely incredible'

The transformation stunned judge Simon Cowell, who said: ‘You were this shy little thing when you came out. Then you sing and you’re like a lion. I mean, genuinely incredible’

Canadian comedian and actor Howie Mandel used his single 'golden buzzer' of the season on Courtney

Canadian comedian and actor Howie Mandel used his single ‘golden buzzer’ of the season on Courtney

Courtney's father and presenter Tyra Banks looked on in disbelief as Howie hit the buzzer

Courtney’s father and presenter Tyra Banks looked on in disbelief as Howie hit the buzzer

Courtney was joined on stage by her father, who hugged her as she wiped back tears. Mandel and presenter Banks later joined the singer on stage.

Courtney later posted on Twitter: ‘I didn’t know what to expect when I auditioned for @AGT but the golden buzzer was more than I ever could have dreamed of. Thank you so much @howiemandel I am so happy and can’t thank you enough xx’.

The 13-year-old will now appear before the judges on the live shows, where audiences will play a role in deciding whether she takes home the $1million prize.

Courtney and Mr Hadwin are believed to have travelled to Los Angeles for the auditions earlier this year. It is thought they will return to the US for the live shows. 

The incredible reception from the audience and judges left Courtney in tears on stage

The incredible reception from the audience and judges left Courtney in tears on stage

The emotional schoolgirl was overwhelmed as she received a standing ovation

The emotional schoolgirl was overwhelmed as she received a standing ovation

Judges Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell were amazed by Courtney's powerful singing voic

Judges Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell were amazed by Courtney’s powerful singing voic

The singer took to Twitter to say the reaction was 'more than she ever could have dreamed of'

The singer took to Twitter to say the reaction was ‘more than she ever could have dreamed of’

Hometown star 

Courtney has been singing for a number of years, after taking singing lessons. 

She has appeared at local open mic nights and concerts, including the South Tyneside Festival in July last year where she entertained more than 18,000 fans. 

After Courtney was nominated in the Best of Hartlepool competition in 2016, her mother Annmarie said: ‘I am so proud of how she has done in the last two years.

‘She comes in from school, does her homework and then she practises singing every night… She works really hard and never really goes out with her friends as she is always busy.’

Grandfather Tom Storey said his singing granddaughter, pictured, is actually 'painfully shy' 

Grandfather Tom Storey said his singing granddaughter, pictured, is actually ‘painfully shy’ 

Speaking to FEMAIL, neighbour Ms Creamer, who works in the local post office, said she hears Courtney practising from next door. 

‘I have known her since she was tiny, I can hear her through the walls,’ she said. 

‘When we moved next door we heard her all the time. She doesn’t really speak but when she sings, you can really hear her.

‘She’s always had that voice and she’s always singing. She’s always sang old songs and has the best voice.

‘I watched America’s Got Talent on my phone this morning and I was just like “WOW!”

‘People were saying she hadn’t got through but when I looked I saw she got through and she got the golden buzzer. She did well in The Voice as well.

Proud: Neighbour Ruth Tait

Chloe Boardman, 12

Proud neighbours Ruth Tait, 79, left, and former classmate Chloe Boardman, 12

Courtney lives in the village of Hesleden, County Durham, pictured, with her family

Courtney lives in the village of Hesleden, County Durham, pictured, with her family

‘The family are so nice, it will mean a lot to her to be in the live final.’

Sharon Boardman’s daughter Chloe Boardman, 12, went to primary school with Courtney. She described Courtney’s voice as ‘lovely’.  

The 48-year-old said: ‘It was amazing to see her on the telly and nice to see her.

‘They are a lovely family, I don’t know her really well but I say hi to her mum and dad. She has got a good voice.’

Neighbour Ruth Tait, 79, added: ‘It is nice to hear that she is doing so well. If she wins a million dollars at 13-years-old I would imagine she would be set up for life. 

‘I’m very proud of a local girl making it onto such a big stage.’ 

Social media sensation      

Courtney first made headlines in June last year when a video of her performing solo in a classroom went viral, Chronicle Live reported.

Courtney left classmates in awe when she belted out Great Big World and Christina Aguilera’s Say Something during the open mic session hosted by music teacher Dan Robson.

The video of Courtney’s performance was uploaded on the school’s Facebook page, where it was met with likes and comments from excited fans. 

The teenager regularly posts on Twitter , YouTube , Instagram and Facebook , where she keeps fans updated with upcoming performances and new releases

The teenager regularly posts on Twitter , YouTube , Instagram and Facebook , where she keeps fans updated with upcoming performances and new releases

She told the publication at the time: ‘I haven’t been able to walk down the corridor at school without someone stopping me and saying ‘well done’; it’s been weird but good at the same time.

‘I don’t really get nervous so even though I was singing in front of hundreds of people I just got on with it.’

Like many aspiring chart-toppers, Courtney has already built a devoted fan base online. 

Courtney performs at the Hartlepool Mail's Best of Hartlepool awards when she was 11

Courtney performs at the Hartlepool Mail’s Best of Hartlepool awards when she was 11

The teenager regularly posts on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, where she keeps fans updated with upcoming performances and new releases. 

A recent Instagram post shows Courtney sitting at a computer holding a sheet of hand-written song lyrics. 

Another social media clip captures the schoolgirl rehearsing a new track at her keyboard at home.  

The posts are often met with excited comments from fans, who praise her as ‘great’ and ‘amazing’.

The Voice Kids 

Courtney was just 12 years old when she appeared on ITV children’s talent show The Voice Kids last summer.

However the aspiring singer was initially less successful than she was on America’s Got Talent, with just one of the three judges – McFly star Danny Jones – turning around at her audition.

She stuck to her rock and soul roots, performing Ike & Tina Turner’s Nutbush City Limits and Martha and the Vandellas’ hit Dancing in the Streets in the first two rounds of the competition.

Courtney was just 12 years old when she appeared on ITV children's talent show The Voice Kids earlier this year

Courtney was just 12 years old when she appeared on ITV children’s talent show The Voice Kids earlier this year

She stuck to her rock and soul roots, performing Ike & Tina Turner's Nutbush City Limits and Martha and the Vandellas' hit Dancing in the Streets

She stuck to her rock and soul roots, performing Ike & Tina Turner’s Nutbush City Limits and Martha and the Vandellas’ hit Dancing in the Streets

Judge Pixie Lott was left in awe of the young singer's energetic performance on stage

Judge Pixie Lott was left in awe of the young singer’s energetic performance on stage

She followed it up with a third classic, James Brown’s I Feel Good.

Courtney showed off her dance moves throughout the talent show, giving judges and viewers a powerful all-round performance. 

It was enough to earn Courtney a place in the live finals of the show, which returns to ITV this summer, under the guidance of mentor Jones. 

Speaking ahead of The Voice UK semi-finals, the schoolgirl’s grandfather, Tom Storey, told the Inverness Courier he was ‘over the moon’ at her success. 

He also revealed she was ‘painfully shy’. He said: ‘If you ever met her you would hardly believe she was the same girl singing and dancing on that stage. 

‘But as soon as she gets a microphone in her hand, well, it’s like two different people.’

However she missed out on taking home the top prize, which was won by 14-year-old Jess from Essex.



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