At just 20 years old, Hadwin sounds like she’s lived a thousand lifetimes. Her voice—a powerful blend of sandpaper rasp and soul—carries the kind of depth you don’t usually hear in modern rock-pop hybrids. And in “Die and Stay Pretty,” she puts that voice to work telling a story that’s both hauntingly personal and painfully universal.

A Title That Confronts, Not Flatters

“Die and Stay Pretty” isn’t a radio-friendly phrase, and that’s the point. The title calls out toxic beauty standards and the pressure to preserve perfection at all costs—whether in Hollywood, social media, or the music industry itself. But Hadwin doesn’t just make a statement. She opens a wound.

The lyrics are raw and poetic, circling themes of disillusionment, abandonment, and mental exhaustion. Lines like:

“They loved me more when I was silent / When I looked good and kept things light”
“Painted lips hide the crying / Pretty hurts but it photographs right”

aren’t just lines for effect. They feel lived-in, like diary entries turned into verse.

The Sound: Retro, Rough, and Real

Musically, “Die and Stay Pretty” leans into a grungy, garage-rock aesthetic. There’s a restrained tension in the verses—minimal guitar, haunting background noise—before the chorus crashes in like a thunderstorm. It’s not overproduced, nor is it polished. Instead, it rides on sheer conviction. You believe every word she sings, because it doesn’t sound like a performance—it sounds like release.

The song channels sonic influences from Janis Joplin to early Alanis Morissette, but never feels derivative. This is very much Hadwin’s voice—one that’s grown since her viral audition singing Otis Redding, but still burns with the same untamed spirit.

More Than a Single, It’s a Statement

Courtney Hadwin first stunned global audiences on America’s Got Talent in 2018 with her electrifying voice and stage presence far beyond her years. Since then, she’s taken her time, building her identity away from the glare of instant fame. With “Die and Stay Pretty,” she’s not chasing trends—she’s carving out space for something real, even if it’s not pretty.

Fans have responded with open arms. Comments on social media and streaming platforms call the song “gut-wrenching,” “real,” and “the most important thing she’s done yet.” For listeners who’ve been waiting for a deeper layer to Hadwin’s artistry, this single delivers it—and then some.

Looking Ahead

Whether this track is part of a larger project remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Courtney Hadwin isn’t here to please. She’s here to tell the truth—even when it hurts.

And in a music world often more focused on filters than feeling, that truth cuts through like fire.