Courtney Hadwin took the mic for a stripped-down performance of her viral original song “Pretty Little Thing” during a recent vocal class and the result was nothing short of spellbinding.
The British powerhouse began the song with just her raw, unfiltered voice laid bare, no frills, no heavy production. The first notes instantly sent goosebumps through the room, as if the air itself thickened with her mysterious energy.
Fans who were lucky enough to hear it live say it was impossible not to be reminded of her unforgettable past performances, especially her breakout moment on America’s Got Talent.
Hadwin, who first stunned the world on AGT season 13 with her Janis Joplin–esque grit, proved once again that she doesn’t need a stage, lights, or even a band behind her to command attention. That signature rasp, that otherworldly delivery — it was all there, in a setting as intimate as a vocal workshop.
From “AGT” Phenom to Original Artist
Courtney’s stripped-back performance also brought fans back to her now-iconic 2019 appearance on America’s Got Talent: The Champions, where she performed “Pretty Little Thing” as an original composition.
On that stage, she came alive with unshakable confidence, strolling down to the judges’ table for high-fives as Simon Cowell looked on in disbelief. The music mogul admitted he was “stunned” that Hadwin had only placed as a finalist in her original AGT season, telling her: “When you were on the show last time and you didn’t win, my mouth literally dropped. So many people were disappointed, hence the reason you’re here today.”
That night proved that Hadwin wasn’t just a cover artist with a throwback vibe — she was a songwriter with a voice and vision entirely her own. It set the stage for her career to take off, with her signing to Syco Music and Arista Records soon after.
The Acoustic Side of “Pretty Little Thing”
While her televised performances brought out the fiery rocker in her, Hadwin has also shown her softer side. On March 25, 2019, she released an acoustic version of “Pretty Little Thing” that stripped away the grit and put the spotlight firmly on her soul-stirring vocals.
The acoustic recording highlighted a different shade of her artistry — vulnerable, intimate, and almost haunting in its simplicity. It’s that same energy she recently recreated in Julie Miles’ class, proving that whether it’s in a studio, a theater, or a classroom, her voice is always the centerpiece.
A Coach Who Believed From the Start
For Courtney, none of this journey has felt quite real. In a candid reflection, she admitted: “It just still doesn’t feel real. It’s unbelievable that I’m here and I’m doing what I’m doing… it doesn’t feel real that I’ve got a record deal. I just want to be able to create my own music and carry on what I’m doing — to be able to bring an album out with the help from Julie, because I would never be doing what I am now if it wasn’t for her.”
Julie Miles, who has mentored Hadwin since before her rise to fame, shares the same admiration: “I literally could not be any prouder of her. What she’s achieved — it’s what dreams are made of. I knew from the moment I first worked with Courtney that there was something very, very special about her. She is very unique, very different indeed, and she’s had this worldwide response from people who absolutely love her. The sky is the limit.”
