Courtney Hadwin Returns With Explosive Debut Album After Years Off The Radar.
Seven years after her golden buzzer moment on America’s Got Talent turned her into a viral sensation, Courtney Hadwin is finally ready to tell her own story. The once-shy teenager, who stunned millions with her electrifying audition at just 13 years old, has spent the past several years largely away from the spotlight. Now, at 21, she is reintroducing herself to the world—this time on her own terms.
Hadwin’s 2018 audition remains one of AGT’s most unforgettable. Singing “Rolling in the Deep,” she floored the judges with a voice that seemed far beyond her years. Howie Mandel slammed the golden buzzer, and Simon Cowell described her as “a lion,” captivated by the raw power and confidence she projected on stage. The performance spread quickly online, racking up hundreds of millions of views and sparking conversations about her unusual mix of shyness and explosive energy.
But with that sudden fame came scrutiny. Some critics questioned her authenticity, pointing to her previous appearance on The Voice Kids UK. Others defended her fiercely, insisting the Courtney they saw on stage was genuine. Either way, her life changed instantly. Though she didn’t win the AGT crown, she landed a record deal with Simon Cowell’s label, Syco, setting expectations for a rapid rise in the music industry.
Instead, her career took a slower, less predictable turn. While fans waited for a debut album that never came, Hadwin’s social media presence all but disappeared. Her Instagram was wiped, her label folded in 2020, and eventually, she parted ways with Cowell. For many, it seemed as though the girl who once lit up the AGT stage had vanished.
The truth, Hadwin now reveals, is that she needed the break. “I remember auditioning and getting the golden buzzer. It was ages ago. It’s crazy to think that was seven, eight years ago, and I’m finally putting my album out now,” she said recently. “I disappeared to rebuild, and now I’m fully doing it my way.”
That rebuilding has led to her debut album, Little Miss Jagged, set for release on September 12, 2025. The record blends elements of soul, rock, funk, and punk, marking a bold departure from her early days of cover performances. Songs such as Die and Stay Pretty and You Only Love Me When I Lie reveal deeply personal stories about heartbreak, addiction, and the pressures of growing up in front of millions.
Far from the child star molded by the expectations of others, Hadwin has embraced independence. She writes her own songs, books her own shows, and maintains close ties to her family in the UK. Recently, she headlined a sold-out London show and has been touring across the UK and Portugal. On her rebuilt Instagram, she summed up her new era with a simple caption: “Not a little girl anymore.”
Courtney Hadwin’s journey reflects the challenges of early fame but also the strength of reinvention. By stepping away when the world expected her to deliver, she gave herself the chance to grow. Now, with Little Miss Jagged, she isn’t just releasing music—she’s finally sharing her story.