Brit America’s Got Talent star Courtney Hadwin, 14, misses out on $1m prize after making it to the final
A BRITISH schoolgirl has missed out on the $1million prize after making it to the final of America’s Got Talent.
Courtney Hadwin, from Peterlee in County Durham, has won over millions of US fans and was favourite to win the show.
The 14-year-old received a standing ovation after she performed a storming rendition of an Otis Redding classic during her audition back in June.
But she missed out in the final after failing to make the top five as magician Shin Lim was crowned the season 13 champion.
Courtney said “thank you” after host Tyra Banks told her that she was “proud” after her duet with The Struts of Take Another Little Piece of My Heart.
On Twitter fans of Courtney said they were “shocked” that she didn’t win the show.
One wrote: “@CourtneyHadwin was robbed. Courtney puts on a show and entertains. Hope to see her in concert some day.”
Another added: “Courtney, I’m sure that very soon you’ll be signing a very juicy contract. Please don’t cry. Love you.”
Dad Paul was by his daughter’s side in Hollywood as mum Annmarie stayed at home with their two other children.
Before her huge success across the pond, Courtney actually failed to make it on the kids version of The Voice last year – and was even bullied at school after her performance.
The teen previously told the : “I’m shocked that I have gotten this far. I don’t really think The Voice Kids prepared me for how big AGT is – it’s huge.
“I’m more excited than nervous at this stage, since its the final and, honestly, to even be here is more than I could have ever hoped for.”
Simon Cowell has already tipped her for big things and in an earlier round praised her as a “bundle of excitement”.
Courtney made it straight through to the live shows after fellow judge Howie Mandel used his golden buzzer early in the season.
At the time he said: “You were born to be wild. This was wild. You were amazing. My prediction is you’re going to be the winner.”
It was previously revealed that the schoolgirl had been busking on the streets of the UK to fund her dream.
Her proud grandfather, Tom Storey, told : “The busking has been paying for her music lessons and for petrol money.”
The 60-year-old revealed Courtney had chosen to enter the American version of the talent show because “the UK doesn’t get her” after she lost out in the UK’s The Voice Kids.
He said the youngster received online abuse after her appearance on the show, with some calling her a “shouter” not a singer, which left the family upset.
The season 13 champion will be crowned tonight.
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