British schoolgirl, 13, wows the judges with her performance of Otis Redding's Hard to Handle on America's Got Talent

A British schoolgirl has won a place in the quarterfinals of America's Got Talent after wowing judges with her stunning audition. 

Courtney Hadwin, 13, from Hesleden, in County Durham, received a standing ovation from all four judges for her stirring rendition of Otis Redding's Hard to Handle on Tuesday night's programme.

Judge Howie Mandel was so impressed he hit the 'golden buzzer', fast-tracking Courtney to the live shows and ensuring she remains in the running for the $1million prize.

The teenager is no stranger to talent competitions, having narrowly missed out on the top prize on The Voice Kids UK last year.


But unlike many budding stars Courntey is not a show-off when she is away from the spotlight. Indeed her own grandfather describes her as 'painfully shy'.

Courtney, a student at The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, has been performing locally since primary school but first made headlines last year when a video of her singing during a lunchtime open mic session went viral.

She is supported in her singing by her mother Annmarie and father Paul, who have sent her to lessons to help train her voice. She is an older sister to Paul and Melanie.

What is the golden buzzer?  
The Golden Buzzer gives each of the four judges and the host the opportunity to send an act straight to the quarterfinals.

This allows the act to skip a judge vote and more rounds of competition.

Each judge can only use the golden buzzer once during the auditions stage of the competition.    

Mandel became the third to use the golden buzzer this season, following Tyra Banks, who used it for acrobatic group Zurcaroh and Cowell who used it for singer Michael Ketterer.

In a 2016 interview, Mrs Hadwin described how her daughter, then just in primary school, worked tirelessly on her voice. 

She said: 'She comes in from school, does her homework and then she practises singing every night.'

Speaking to FEMAIL today, neighbour Lesley Creamer told how she hears the talented teenager 'singing through the walls'. 

She added: 'She doesn't really speak but when she sings, you can really hear her.'

Courtney's quiet nature was apparent when she stepped on stage to audition in the packed auditorium during a trip to Los Angeles earlier this year.

She was reassured by judge and former Spice Girl Mel B, who said: 'I know this is a big stage with lots of people here but you're here for a reason so go for it and good luck.' 





MailOnline