The British teenager who wowed the judges on America’s Got Talent said she felt like she had “switched bodies” during her performance.
Courtney Hadwin, 13, has become a social media sensation following her appearance on the US talent show and judge Simon Cowell described her as a “lion”.
The music mogul’s fellow judge, Howie Mandel, was so impressed by her cover of Otis Redding’s Hard To Handle he pushed his golden buzzer, meaning the year nine schoolgirl goes straight through to the live shows.
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 pic.twitter.com/qqNKUWyzVk
— Courtney Hadwin (@CourtneyHadwin) June 13, 2018
Mandel, sitting alongside judges Mel B and Heidi Klum, then compared the youngster to the late US singer Janis Joplin.
Speaking from her home in the village of Hesleden, County Durham, Courtney told the Press Association: “It’s just been hectic. I was really nervous before it. We wanted to do America’s Got Talent because it’s the biggest show in the world and it’s where all my idols are from.”
Courtney admitted she was “nervous” while speaking to the judges before her performance, but as soon as the music kicked in she transformed, stunning the audience.
Tonight is the night my audition airs on #AGT at 8/7c on @nbc! Super excited and nervous! pic.twitter.com/wyXlglPCbD
— Courtney Hadwin (@CourtneyHadwin) June 12, 2018
Asked what she remembered of the audition, she said: “It feels like I have switched bodies. I remember singing and then getting to a certain point in the song and seeing people enjoy it, which made me really happy. I must’ve been doing something right.
“It was just overwhelming knowing that these people, who the public love to listen to, had enjoyed my performance too. All of their comments were amazing.”
Courtney is back at home with her father, Paul, 32, mother Annmarie, 31, her brother, also named Paul, 11, and nine-year-old sister Melissa.
Thank you so much for all the lovely comments and support still hasn't sunk in yet thank you to the judges tyra and the full @AGT @nbc team #AGT #DREAMS pic.twitter.com/XaLLCX5tIV
— Courtney Hadwin (@CourtneyHadwin) June 13, 2018
She will fly back to the US for the live shows in August to fight for the one million dollar (£750,000) prize money, but for now is enjoying the UK.
She said: “Everybody is just really proud and happy for me. I have had people coming up to me in the street saying well done. It makes me feel proud.
“It’s really weird at school, people I have never met before are coming up to me and saying well done and the teachers are really happy for me.
“My family is on top of the world. My little brother, Paul, thinks I am famous and he wants to be famous too.”
Courtney said she is “really looking forward to the next round”.