Singer-songwriter Grace WanderWaal offered a brief sneak peek during her audition in 2016, right before she made her stage debut on Americaโs Got Talent.
โIโm doing my own song tonight, because I really think that it shows who I am,โย said the then-12-year-old Grace, who was born in Kansas and lived in New York at the time.ย โI hope. I hope it does.โ
To cut a long tale short, yes.
Because of her outstanding performance, Grace was tipped to becomeย โthe next Taylor Swift.โย It also put her on a successful, confetti-covered road. In Season 11, she won the $1 million prize on AGT.
Grace VanderWaalโs First AGT Audition
โMiracles can happen, so possibly,โย Grace told Judge Simon Cowell when he asked her if she believed she could win.

When Simon inquired about the song sheโd be doing, she said,ย โItโs about me.โย Then she added that most of her school friendsย โdonโt really know I sing.โ
Her friends and everyone watching AGT were the first to hear her distinctive voice and expressive songwriting approach.
Grace, accompanied on ukulele, wowed from the opening note ofย โI Donโt Know My Name,โย a candid, heartfelt song about discovering who you are.
โI donโt know my name. I donโt play by the rules of the game,โย Grace sang.ย โSo you say Iโm just trying, just trying.โ
What did the judges say?
As the applause died down and the standing crowd took their seats, Grace got ready to find out what the four judges thought of her audition.
Howie Mandel was eager to express his opinions.
โThis is a show about surprises,โย he said.ย โYou used the word miracle, and I think you are a living, beautiful, walking miracle.โ
โYouโre original,โย Howie continued, as he alluded to the lyrics of her song.ย โPeople not knowing your name is so right and so wrong, because I think the world is going to know your name. I think right now theyโre going to know your name.โ
He then hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Grace straight to live performances. Howie hurried over to give Grace a hug as she broke down in happy emotions.ย โYou are amazing,โย he told her.
Simon shared that Graceโs talent for finding songwriting inspiration in her own life reminded him of a pop superstar.ย โGrace, you know what I predict for you,โย he said.ย โI think you are the next Taylor Swift.โ
โWhat a great girl. What a great personality,โย Simon said to his fellow judges.
โWow,โย said Heidi Klum.ย โThat is a big wow.โ
โShe is special,โย said Mel B.
โDo you think youโve got a star now?โย Howie asked Simon.
โI 100 percent think weโve got a star,โย said Simon, who added that he wasย โannoyedโย that he didnโt get to press the Golden Buzzer.
Grace began her acting career in Stargirl and has since recorded CDs after gaining notoriety on Americaโs Got Talent. In Francis Ford Coppolaโs Megalopolis, she portrays a pop star.
View previous seasons of Americaโs Got Talent on Peacock right now.
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