Given that she was so young, it should come as little surprise that she was nervous before stepping out on stage for her audition. After all, a minute and a half to prove to a series of judges – and a live audience – that you’re voice is as good as you think it is? Courtney was desperate to do well.
Were her nerves going to weigh her down? Did she have it in her to rise to the challenge?
Courtney took a deep breath, stepped into the spotlight, and opened her mouth. The judges were thereafter left paralyzed.
Presenting yourself on television is a bold and daring thing to do. It’s only natural that people get nervous when they feel the sear of the spotlight on them.
Thousands of people at home are watching you, the cameras are pointed and the lights are powerful. That’s without bringing the judges of a talent show into the equation, they who monitor every detail and movement you make.
Of course 13-year-old Courtney Hadwin was nervous. When the judges asked how she was feeling, she told them as much.
In fact, when Courtney got on stage, she could barely look the judges in the eye. She lowered her head, as if to hide behind her long brown hair. Then she changed her position, took a breath to steady herself … and let fly.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the next couple of minutes captivated the world – or at least all those who were tuned in. The judges were left slack-jawed and open-mouthed; they couldn’t believe it.
Within a few seconds, Courtney had gone from being a shy teenager to a star. Her energy and talent were infectious.
By the time the judges were finished, they’d compared her to the great Janis Joplin, one of the greatest singers of the 60’s.
Even Simon Cowell, notoriously harsh with his feedback, couldn’t help but sing Courtney’s praise.
I won’t reveal any more. You can see it for yourself in the video below (one which has been seen by 55 million people already).
What do you think? Do you also believe we’ll be seeing more of Courtney in the future?
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