The 'AGT Janis Joplin': Where Is Courtney Hadwin Now? (2025 Update)

The comparison was audacious: a shy, 13-year-old British girl taking the stage on America's Got Talent and transforming into a powerhouse rock vocalist who the judges immediately likened to the legendary Janis Joplin. That girl was Courtney Hadwin, and her 2018 Golden Buzzer audition for Season 13 remains one of the show's most viral and electric moments. As of the current date in late 2025, fans are asking: what happened to the 'AGT Janis Joplin' and has she lived up to the massive hype?

The short answer is yes, but on her own terms. After the initial post-show whirlwind, Courtney Hadwin took time to hone her craft, moving from cover artist to a genuine singer-songwriter. Her career has recently culminated in the release of her long-awaited debut album, a project that finally defines her sound beyond the iconic comparisons that launched her to global fame.

Courtney Hadwin: Biography and Profile

Courtney Hadwin is an English singer-songwriter who first captured international attention with her raw, blues-rock vocal style and dynamic stage presence. Her journey began long before the bright lights of the American stage.

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• Full Name: Courtney Ann Hadwin
• Born: July 6, 2004
• Birthplace: Hartlepool, County Durham, England
• Nationality: British
• Genre: Rock, Blues Rock, Pop Rock
• Early Career: Competed on the first series of The Voice Kids UK in 2017, reaching the live final.
• Breakthrough: America's Got Talent Season 13 (2018). Her audition went viral, earning a Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel.
• AGT Result: Eliminated in the finale, placing outside the top 5.
• Post-AGT: Signed a long-term recording contract with Syco Music in partnership with Arista Records.
• Current Status (2025): Actively promoting her debut album, Little Miss Jagged, released in 2024.

The contrast between her shy, soft-spoken off-stage persona and her explosive, guttural vocal performance was the initial shock factor that made her a global sensation. This duality became the core of her brand, leading to the inevitable comparisons with the late, great Janis Joplin.

The Golden Buzzer That Launched a Thousand Comparisons

Courtney Hadwin’s America's Got Talent audition in 2018 was a masterclass in stage transformation. Walking onto the stage, she appeared nervous and struggled to make eye contact with the judges, prompting Simon Cowell to encourage her to take a deep breath. The moment the music started, however, the shy teenager vanished.

Her performance of Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle" (a song famously covered by The Black Crowes) was pure, unadulterated blues-rock energy. She thrashed, she danced, and she belted out notes with a gravelly, soulful grit that was completely unexpected from a 13-year-old.

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Judge Howie Mandel was so stunned that he immediately hit the Golden Buzzer, sending her straight to the live shows. His description of her performance cemented the legendary comparison: "You are not from this era. You're from a whole different era. You are like a Janis Joplin. You are like a rock and roll goddess!"

The Janis Joplin comparison stuck because of the raw, untamed nature of her voice and her electrifying, slightly chaotic stage presence. During her run on the show, she continued to embrace this rock persona, performing classics like James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” While she didn't win the season, her viral videos earned her a dedicated international fanbase and a major record deal with Simon Cowell's Syco Music and Arista Records.

Courtney Hadwin's Career Reboot: The 'Little Miss Jagged' Era (2024/2025)

After the whirlwind of AGT and a subsequent appearance on America's Got Talent: The Champions, Courtney Hadwin stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her artistic development. This period of growth was crucial, allowing her to transition from a contestant known for covers to a credible artist with original material.

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The biggest and most recent news is the release of her debut album, Little Miss Jagged, which dropped in 2024. This album marks a significant turning point, showcasing her evolution as a singer-songwriter.

The Sound of Little Miss Jagged

The album title itself, Little Miss Jagged, seems to be a subtle nod to the duality that made her famous—the "little miss" persona contrasted with the "jagged," powerful rock voice. The music is described as a blend of blues-rock and pop-rock, featuring her signature powerhouse vocals but applied to songs she co-wrote.

Key entities and themes explored in her new music include:

• Original Songwriting: Moving away from the classic rock covers of her AGT days to establish her own narrative and sound.
• The Single "JAGGED": A major track from the album released in 2024, which introduced fans to her mature, rock-driven sound.
• Musical Influences: While the Janis Joplin comparison is a permanent fixture, her new work also draws on modern rock and pop sensibilities, creating a sound that is both retro and contemporary.
• The "Reboot": The album is widely seen as a major step in her career, solidifying her status as an unstoppable force in the rock genre.

Her work in 2024 and 2025 has included touring, promotional events, and engaging with fans about her new material, proving she is far from fading into reality TV history. The long-awaited debut has been a major topic among music critics, who are analyzing whether the viral sensation can sustain a long-term career in the notoriously difficult rock industry.

The Legacy of the 'Janis Joplin' Comparison

While the Janis Joplin comparison was instrumental in launching Courtney Hadwin's career, it also created immense pressure. Janis Joplin, along with other iconic female rock entities like Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin, set an impossibly high bar. The comparison was less about sounding exactly alike and more about the shared spirit: a young woman with a raw, untamed voice and a performance style that was completely uninhibited.

The comparison served its purpose, making her a global name overnight. However, the current phase of her career, focused on the Little Miss Jagged album, is about moving beyond that label. She is carving out her own space as Courtney Hadwin, the rock singer-songwriter, rather than just the 'AGT Janis Joplin' clone. Her success in the coming years will be measured by her ability to maintain her unique energy while showcasing her original musical voice.

For fans who were captivated by that 2018 Golden Buzzer moment, the journey continues. Courtney Hadwin is performing, releasing new music, and proving that the powerful voice America first heard is here to stay, with a fresh, jagged edge for the modern era.