Teenage singer set for US TV talent show final
Her powerful voice has enchanted fans across the globe and racked up millions of views on YouTube.
And now Courtney Hadwin is preparing for the next stage of her journey on America’s Got Talent, with live shows set to start next week.
The teenager, from Hesleden, was sent straight through to the live leg of the reality TV show after receiving a golden buzzer from judge Howie Mandel.
The music mogul, and the restofthejudgingpanel,which includes Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Mel B, were blown away by the 13-year-old’s performance of Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle.
Courtney, a pupil at Academy at Shotton Hall, Peterlee, becomes one of 36 acts to take part in the competition’s live shows, which launch next Tuesday and run for three weeks.
Among the contestants are nine golden buzzers, including Courtney, two dozen people chosen during the judges’ cuts round and three wildcards.
Twelve acts will perform during each week of this round, but only seven will make it through to the semifinals, which are set to start on September 4.
The two-part final of America’s Got Talent will be broadcast live on September 18 and 19.
Courtney told her 22,000 Twitter followers: “Next week the @agt live shows start! “Dreams do come true!” Speaking after her incredible audition in front of the judges, she said: “Everybody is just really proud and happy for me.”