Just before her big moment on America’s Got Talent in 2016, singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal gave everyone a sneak peek of what was coming. At only twelve years old, she boldly announced, “I’m doing my own song tonight because I really think that it shows who I am.”
Although Grace was born in Kansas, she was living in New York at that time. “Hopefully. I’m hoping it does,” she said, full of hope and excitement.
To make a long story short, Grace’s performance wowed everyone and earned her the nickname “the next Taylor Swift.” This amazing moment set her on a glittering path to success, and by the end of Season 11, she had won the grand prize of $1 million!
Grace’s Incredible AGT Audition
As Grace stood before the judges, Simon Cowell asked her how she felt about her chances of winning. With a spark in her eye, she replied, “Miracles can happen, so possibly.” When Simon inquired about the song she was going to perform, she proudly said, “It’s about me.” She also shared that most of her school friends “don’t really know I sing.”
Little did they know, Grace had a unique voice and a talent for heartfelt songwriting that would soon capture everyone’s attention.
With her ukulele in hand, Grace mesmerized the audience right from the first note of her emotional song, “I Don’t Know My Name.”
“My name is unknown to me. I don’t play by the rules of the game,” she sang passionately. “You say I’m just trying, that’s right.”
The Judges’ Reactions
As the crowd grew silent, Grace prepared to hear what the four judges thought about her audition. Howie Mandel was the first to share his thoughts, and he was not shy about it at all.
“This is a show about surprises,” he declared enthusiastically. “You referred to yourself as a miracle, and in my opinion, you are a gorgeous, walking miracle.” He pointed out something special in her lyrics, saying, “You’re original. I believe that everyone will know your name, so it’s both right and wrong for people not to know it yet. They will probably recognize your name by now.”
Then, in a thrilling moment, Howie pressed the Golden Buzzer, sending Grace straight into the live performances. Overwhelmed with emotion, Grace couldn’t hold back her tears of joy, and Howie rushed over to give her a big hug. “You are incredible,” he told her warmly.
Next up was Simon, who was impressed by Grace’s ability to draw inspiration from her personal experiences. “Grace, you know what I predict for you? You could be the next Taylor Swift,” he said with confidence.
“What a wonderful girl! What a wonderful personality!” Simon exclaimed, praising her in front of the other judges.
Heidi Klum couldn’t help but express her excitement, saying, “Amazing! That truly is amazing.”
“She is unique,” Mel B added, nodding in agreement.
Curious about Simon’s thoughts, Howie asked, “Do you believe that you are now a star?”
“I think we’ve got a star,” Simon replied, looking a bit annoyed that he didn’t get to hit the Golden Buzzer himself.
After her stunning success on America’s Got Talent, Grace VanderWaal launched her acting career in Stargirl and has released several albums. She even stars as a pop star in Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming movie, Megalopolis.
What do you think about Grace’s incredible journey? Share your thoughts in the comments!