In 2018, 13-year-old Courtney Hadwin from the UK shocked the judges and audience of America’s Got Talent with her electrifying audition. Performing Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle, Courtney’s powerful, soulful voice and dynamic stage presence left everyone in awe. Despite her shy, nervous appearance at first, once she started singing, she transformed into a confident rock star.

The judges were blown away. Simon Cowell called her “a little lion,” while Howie Mandel, visibly impressed, hit the Golden Buzzer, sending her straight to the live shows. Her audition went viral, and she quickly became a fan favorite. Though she finished in sixth place, Courtney’s Golden Buzzer moment marked the beginning of her promising music career.

Although Courtney didn’t win the competition, finishing in sixth place overall, her performance remains one of the most memorable moments in AGT history. She later released her debut single and continues to build a promising career in music, showing that her Golden Buzzer moment was just the beginning of her incredible journey.