14-year-old Courtney Hadwin first hit the America’s Got Talent stage, no one was prepared for what came next. Her shy, quiet introduction gave way to a thunderstorm of energy — wild moves, raw soul, and a voice that felt straight out of another era.
The performance, which has since racked up over 21 million views across platforms, left the judges speechless and the internet obsessed. But what most people didn’t know is that her now-famous “awkward” dance wasn’t planned at all.
In an interview with Daily Denny Live, Courtney finally opened up about the moment that changed her life and the truth behind that viral performance.
“I saw a video of James Brown singing I Got You (I Feel Good),” she said. “I tried to copy his moves but couldn’t do them properly, so they kind of turned into my own — and that’s how my style came about.”
That spontaneous movement, full of grit and fire, became her signature. What some saw as “awkward,” millions of others saw as authentic, powerful, and unforgettable.
At just 14, Courtney brought her love of classic soul to America’s Got Talent, performing Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle — a song choice that shocked the judges and earned her Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer. “When Howie hit the buzzer, I just didn’t expect it,” she recalled. “I actually thought I was going to get the red buzzers.”
Her passion for vintage music came from deep admiration for legends like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Janis Joplin. “Aretha is one of my idols,” Courtney said. “She brought me into this kind of soul-rock sound. I’ve learned so much from her music.”
Fast-forward to now — Courtney is 21 and no longer the quiet girl who hid behind her nerves. Speaking from Benidorm just days after her birthday, she reflected on how that one moment on AGT shaped her life in both beautiful and difficult ways.
“It’s been hard, I’m not gonna lie,” she admitted. “I’m always so grateful for the opportunity that show gave me and the people who’ve found my music because of it. But I constantly feel like I have to prove I’m not just the girl from that TV show.”
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After signing a record deal as a teenager and spending years in writing camps that didn’t fit her sound, Courtney eventually found her true rhythm with producer Kevin Bowe, known for working with Etta James and Joe Cocker. Together, they created her debut album Little Miss Jagged, out September 15.
“I’ve never written this personally before,” she shared. “Kevin really helped me get to a place where I could write so vulnerably. At first, I hated songwriting — I just wanted to perform. But now it’s the only way I can really express myself.”
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For Courtney, Little Miss Jagged is more than just a debut — it’s a declaration. “The title fits because I’ve always been rough around the edges,” she said. “You either love me or you hate me, and I’m okay with that. It’s who I am.”
That authenticity is exactly what made her viral performance so timeless. What started as an “awkward” dance from a nervous teenager has turned into the unmistakable style of a young artist who never stopped moving to her own rhythm.
“I just feel the music,” Courtney said simply. “Once I start singing, everything else goes blank — it’s like nothing else matters.”
And that, perhaps, is the real secret behind her magic.
