With a voice well beyond her years and a presence that demands attention, Courtney Hadwin once again reminded us why she’s one of the most captivating young talents of her generation.
And it all began with a rare, soul-stirring cover of Leonard Cohen’s timeless classic, “Hallelujah,” performed when she was just 11 years old.
Watch her cover below.
Though “Hallelujah” has been reimagined by countless artists over the years, Hadwin’s rendition offered something unmistakably different—an emotional depth and vocal maturity rarely seen in someone so young.
Her performance didn’t just echo the haunting beauty of the original; it introduced a new, raw layer of vulnerability and soul.
From the moment she opened her mouth, Hadwin showcased the powerhouse pipes that would later stun audiences worldwide on America’s Got Talent.
At 11, her soulful voice seemed to channel a lifetime of emotion, delivering each lyric with aching sincerity. She didn’t just sing “Hallelujah”—she lived it, breathed it, and made it her own.
While many vocalists approach Cohen’s iconic ballad with caution due to its legendary status, Hadwin embraced it with quiet confidence. Her version, captured in a now-viral video continues to resonate with fans around the world.
What to know about “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
Originally penned for his 1984 album Various Positions, the beloved song by Leonard Cohen is frequently covered by a variety of Artists including Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, Susan Boyle, Kodi Lee, Jennifer Hudson, Pentatonix, Bob Dylan, K.D. Lang, Brandi Carlile, Willie Nelson, Chester Bennington, and more. Wainwright’s version launched the song into popularity again when it was featured on the Shrek soundtrack in 2001. When Cohen died in 2016, his version reached the number-59 position on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100.
According to American Songwriter, he wrote around 80 verses before settling on the final lyrics. As for his thoughts on the amount of times ”Hallelujah” has been covered? ”I’m very happy that it’s being sung,” he told The Guardian in 2012.