America's Got Talent featured a Golden-Buzzer recipient during Tuesday night's Season 13 episode on NBC.
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Courtney Hadwin, a 13-year-old student took the America's Got Talent stage last night and had a jaw-dropping performance that got judges Howie Mandel, Melanie "Mel B" Brown, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell up on their feet.
Courtney presented herself as a shy, quiet and nervous girl onstage, with her father admitting backstage she has trouble socializing with people outside of her family, especially kids at school.
Courtney did reveal, however, her favorite subject in school is music, and then she started singing.
Courtney belted out Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle," which was a song covered in the '90s by the Black Crowes.
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The sweet and petite British teen shocked everyone when she began rocking the stage with her quirky dance moves and passion exuding from her expressive face.
"Bloody hell Courtney," enthused Simon. "You were this shy little thing when you came out. Then you sing and you're like a lion. I mean, genuinely incredible."
Howie subsequently gushed, "Oh my gosh. You are not from this era. You are from a whole different era."
After comparing Courtney to Janis Joplin and how she was discovered by chance on a normal, average day, Howie continued, "I can't sign you to a record deal. The only thing I can do for you young lady is give you..."
Howie then hit the golden buzzer as Courtney cried tears of joy on the stage and golden confetti fell from the ceiling.
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"You are absolutely amazing," America's Got Talent host Tyra Banks told the artist. "I've never seen anything like that."
Howie said the performance was "the best I've ever seen," as Heidi -- who was admittedly "jealous" of Howie's Golden-Buzzer pick -- was shown telling Mel B. from her seat, "I am God smacked!"
Courtney will automatically advance to the season's live shows. Ironically, she began her audition fearing the judges would hit their red buttons and eliminate her from the competition.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski