Speaking in a recent interview, the 21-year-old singer opened up about how much she has changed since her viral AGT audition in 2018. While her raw talent earned instant praise back then, the attention also came with pressure and criticism she was not prepared for at such a young age.
“I think my younger self would be shocked at how much I’ve changed—and proud of how much courage I have now,” Hadwin said. “I used to care so much about what people thought. Every hate comment or sly remark hit me really hard. I’d sit and wonder if I even wanted to be in the spotlight.”
That mindset, she says, no longer defines her. Today, Hadwin is embracing creative freedom, self-expression, and resilience. Her latest appearance—marked by a daring, fashion-forward outfit—symbolized that shift. Rather than playing it safe, she leaned into authenticity, sending a clear message that criticism will not slow her down.
The announcement comes ahead of her UK tour dates scheduled for February next year, with shows in Birmingham and London, supported by the band MuddiBrooke. The tour follows the release of her debut album Little Miss Jagged, which arrived in September after months of anticipation. Earlier this year, she also released the single Spellbound, signaling a new era in both sound and confidence.
Hadwin’s journey has been anything but simple. After receiving a Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel on America’s Got Talent for her explosive rendition of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle,” she went on to sign with Simon Cowell’s Syco Records and later compete on America’s Got Talent: The Champions. When the label closed in 2020, she chose to step away and rebuild as an independent artist.
That decision, she says, changed everything.
“I went through a stage where everyone told me what I should sound like and who I should be,” she explained in another interview. “I was making music I couldn’t relate to. Working with Kevin Bowe helped me stand up for myself and be more honest about who I am.”
Now fully independent, Hadwin has released a series of personal singles and recently shared a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” as a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. With her tour approaching and her artistic voice clearer than ever, Courtney Hadwin is proving that growth, confidence, and self-belief can be just as powerful as raw talent.
And this time, she is moving forward without apology.