Back in 2015, a then-11-year-old Courtney stunned the crowd with a powerful and emotional cover of Elvis Presley’s legendary “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Her voice, filled with grit and soul far beyond her years, took everyone by surprise and quickly made her a fan favorite.
In this haunting version, Courtney doesn’t just sing — she feels every word. With a raspy tone and flawless control, she hits some belted notes that are so strong and emotional, it’s hard to believe they’re coming from someone so young. It’s the kind of performance that gives you goosebumps without even trying.
Watch her performance below.
What stands out most is the raw emotion. Courtney doesn’t try to copy Elvis — she makes the song her own. And that’s what great artists do.
Of course, fans who know her from later appearances on America’s Got Talent will recognize the same fire and vocal power that made her unforgettable on that stage too.
Here’s what to know about “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
As one of Presley’s most recognizable songs, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was originally released as a track off the 1961 film Blue Hawaii, which saw Presley play the lead character Chad Gates. The song failed to reach the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #2 on February 3, 1962. (So close, yet so far for the King.) For a track that has become so well-known, it’s astonishing that it didn’t top the charts at any point!
The song has been covered extensively by countless artists, including Kasey Musgraves, fellow AGT legend Darci Lynne, and Kelly Clarkson. It’s a song that’s aged like fine wine — and we love the unique takes contemporary artists have given this classic tune!
Over 60 years after its release, the song is still earning critical acclaim. In 2022, Parade declared “Can’t Help Falling in Love” the best track in Presley’s impressive catalog, describing the song as “oozing heartfelt emotional grandeur.” The outlet also wrote, “The song is Elvis at his most vulnerable and open, with a velvety croon that seduces with a gentle, romantic approach,” a sentiment nearly every Elvis fan agrees with.
