In a stunning a cappella rendition of the beloved Les Misérables classic, the young talent brought new life to “I Dreamed a Dream” and at just 11 years old, she’s already showing the kind of vocal maturity and control that’s rare at any age.
READ MORE: Courtney Hadwin’s powerful voice at just 11 years old turned “Man in the Mirror” into a rock anthem
While Hadwin is best known for her gritty, soulful voice and rock-inspired stage presence, this performance shows a more grounded, emotional side.
Watch her cover below.
With no instruments behind her, it was just her voice — warm, powerful, and marked by a lovely vibrato that carried every note with purpose.
The performance wasn’t just technically impressive. It was emotionally moving. The way she delivered the lyrics made it clear she understood the weight of the song, and she found a way to make the Broadway classic completely her own.
Her unique tone and raw interpretation gave the performance an honesty that’s hard to fake — and fans definitely noticed.
It’s not every day you see someone take on one of Broadway’s most iconic songs — made famous by powerhouse singers around the world — and do it justice with nothing but their voice. But Courtney Hadwin rose to the challenge beautifully.
What to know about “I Dreamed a Dream”
“I Dreamed a Dream” is from the 1980 musical Les Misérables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It is sung by the character Fantine during the first act, who’s mourning life’s many disappointments, telling the story of how she came to be an impoverished single mother.
The song has been incredibly popular over the years and has been covered by artists like Josh Groban, Neil Diamond, and Japanese sensation Tomomi Kahara. Kahara’s version achieved massive commercial success — although not in the United States. “I Dreamed a Dream” reached number six on the Japanese Billboard Hot 100 in 2013.
