Courtney Hadwin, the teenage powerhouse who wowed the world on America’s Got Talent, has shocked her fans with a painful and honest reveal about being bullied — both online and at school — because of her singing and her rise to fame.
Before millions watched her electrifying Golden Buzzer performance on AGT in 2018, few knew what the young singer had already been through behind the scenes. In a rare and emotional reveal, Courtney shared that she was mocked and bullied for years, long before stepping onto the AGT stage.
At school, some classmates made cruel fun of her singing, and on social media, strangers accused her of being fake. “Some said I wasn’t really shy. That I was acting. That I wasn’t even a real singer — just someone who shouted,” she explained. But in reality, Courtney is naturally quiet and introverted, just as she appeared on TV.
Her family and teachers have confirmed that her shy personality was never an act. Her vocal coach, Julie Miles, has publicly supported Courtney, saying that the hate and criticism she received online was incredibly unfair. “She’s a beautiful soul who just wants to sing,” Julie said.
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Courtney’s grandfather, Tom Storey, also spoke out about how she had to deal with bullies even before AGT. “At school, people laughed at her,” he said. “They said she sang like a boy and made fun of her dream. But she never let it stop her.”
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Courtney started singing in her bedroom, then began busking to raise money for singing lessons. Her parents often struggled to cover the costs, so Courtney did everything she could to support her passion. “She would sing every night after school,” her mom Ann-Marie said. “Even in her room, she was always practicing.”
Julie Miles helped Courtney train for local shows and competitions. She even gave her one-on-one training sessions to prepare for her big audition. And when Courtney finally walked onto the AGT stage, the world saw what her family always knew — a true star, filled with talent, passion, and raw emotion.
Simon Cowell, known for his brutal honesty, was visibly stunned. He told Courtney, “You were like a lion — that’s not a shy little girl up there, that’s someone who was born to do this.”
Even Howie Mandel, who gave her the Golden Buzzer, said watching her was like seeing The Beatles for the first time on TV.
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But with fame came even more judgment. Online comments were brutal at times, questioning her voice, her shyness, and even her personality. “It was hard,” Courtney admitted. “But I’ve learned to ignore the hate. I just want to make music. That’s what makes me happy.”
Despite the pain, Courtney stayed strong. Her performance of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” became one of the most iconic auditions in AGT history, racking up millions of views and winning hearts around the world. Even Howie Mandel, who gave her the Golden Buzzer, compared watching her to seeing The Beatles for the first time on TV.
Since then, Courtney has continued to grow her career. She’s performed for global audiences, built a loyal fanbase, and remained true to herself — passionate and incredibly talented.
Her journey is a reminder that even when the world tries to tear you down, you can still rise — louder, stronger, and prouder than ever before.
