With a catalogue of daring performances behind her, Courtney Hadwin has never shied away from a challenge. But her resurfaced cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” may be one of her most audacious feats yet.
Stripped of the grand instrumentation that defines Freddie Mercury’s original, Hadwin performed the classic with only the simplest background music — calling it just a “vocal exercise.” The result, however, was nothing short of astonishing.
From the very first line, Hadwin’s haunting rasp and rich vocal texture drew listeners in. She approached the song with both restraint and raw abandon, finding intimacy in its quieter moments before unleashing the kind of gritty, soulful belts that have defined her artistry since her breakout on America’s Got Talent.
The performance was as much an emotional journey as a technical one, proving that even pared down, Hadwin’s voice can fill every corner of a song as monumental as “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Fans responded in awe. Viewers described her voice as “unbelievable,” “powerful,” and “emotional,” while others marveled at her unique ability to inhabit a song rather than merely sing it.
One admirer even wrote, “Courtney feels the music, the lyrics, the melody. She is the song. And that is unique in the world.” The performance ends with a chuckle from Hadwin herself — a small, human moment that underscores her genuine joy in making music.
No one has a story quite like Courtney Hadwin. At just 13, she shot to international fame with a Janis Joplin-inspired audition on America’s Got Talent.
While the industry initially tried to mold her into a conventional pop star, Hadwin took a different path, carving out a career that reflects her passions, authenticity, and personal coming-of-age stories. Her journey has since cultivated a dedicated global fanbase, with 3.7 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
That journey now culminates in her debut album, Little Miss Jagged. The record defies easy genre classification, weaving between pop-punk, soul, R&B, Motown, and soaring ballads, all tied together by Hadwin’s unmistakable voice.
Singles like the title track and the explosive “Electric” showcase her refusal to be boxed in, with lyrics that double as a mission statement: “Let the power of the music take me away!”