When viewers first tuned into America's Got Talent season 11 audition episodes, they were introduced to Grace VanderWaal, who was then 12 years old. She walked onto that stage and became a viral sensation after her performance of her original song "I Don't Know My Name." Her performance was so impressive that the judges and audience gave her a standing ovation. She also got the golden buzzer from AGT judge Howie Mandel. Since she received the golden buzzer from one of the judges during her audition, Grace was able to go straight to the live competition shows.
Grace later went on to win the competition, becoming the first winner to perform all original songs. She also became the second female winner and the second 'kid winner' in AGT history. So, what has Grace been up to since her time on the show?
According to Refinery 29, after winning AGT in 2016, Grace went on to perform everywhere from The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon to the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade, Austin City Limits, and even a few award shows. She also released her first EP, Perfectly Imperfect, as well as her first full-length album, Just The Beginning, which was released in 2017. She also released her second EP, Letters: Volume One, in 2019, with the second half slated for release in spring 2020.
A few years after winning the competition, AGT's Grace Vanderwaal has said that she is still trying to find her identity. When speaking to Refinery29, she has stated, "I am still so confused about my identity. Like two nights ago, I literally hyperventilated in bed. I'm like, I am in skin. I will be in skin for the rest of my life." One way that Grace likes to express how she is feeling is through her music, and she shares that she recently wrote a song when she was struggling, because she wants her music to sustain her. Check out Grace's amazing talent in the clip below:
In the process of going through her post-AGT identity crisis, she decided that she wanted to experiment with her hair. Currently, she has a pink bob haircut like the cut that she was seen in on the show. The difference is that she's just not blonde anymore. Before then, she asked her hairstylist, who she has been working with since the age of 12, to add two long, rattail-style extensions, which she could clip in and out depending on what mood she is in that day.
With everything going on in the world right now, Grace makes it known that she is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement, showing her compassion for the lives lost throughout her Instagram timeline. She also has a link in her bio that is a Google document of BLM highlights and petitions, for people to donate to and share with others.
Despite being just 12 when she won America's Got Talent back in 2016, Grace VanderWaal is a name that many will remember for years to come. Whether that was due to her win on the show or due to her life after the show, one thing that is for sure is that Grace VanderWaal is a name that many know and love, even to this day. To see more of Grace, you can watch her film debut in StarGirl on the Disney+ streaming platform.
Source: Refinery29, Grace VanderWaal, Talent Recap via YouTube