Judges Thought She Picked A Hard Song, But Once She Started Singing I Got Chills

It is rare to witness a moment in television history that truly changes someone’s life forever. In 2016, a young girl named Grace VanderWaal stepped onto the stage of America’s Got Talent, and the world was never the same. Before she performed, a short preview showed the talented singer-songwriter preparing for the biggest moment of her life.

A Brave Choice for a Young Artist

At only twelve years old, Grace showed a level of confidence that many adults struggle to find. When she walked out to meet the judges, she made a bold announcement about her performance. Grace declared, “I’m doing my own song tonight, because I really think that it shows who I am.”

Grace was born in Kansas and was living in New York when she decided to audition. While she was nervous, she was also optimistic. She shared her hopes for the audition, saying, “Hopefully. I’m hoping it does.” To put it simply, her dream was to share her heart with the audience.

The Audition That Changed Everything

When the famous judge Simon Cowell asked Grace if she thought she had what it takes to win the entire competition, her answer was humble yet inspiring. She responded, “Miracles can happen, so possibly.”

Simon was curious about her original music and asked what the song was about. She responded, “It’s about me.” Surprisingly, she admitted that even the people closest to her didn’t know about her secret talent. She mentioned that the majority of her school pals “don’t really know I sing.”

That night, her friends and millions of viewers finally discovered her gift. Armed with only a small ukulele, Grace began to sing her original track, “I Don’t Know My Name.” The song was a beautiful, honest look at trying to find one’s place in the world.

Some of the most touching lyrics included: “My name is unknown to me. I don’t play by the rules of the game. You say I’m just trying, that’s right.”

The Judges’ Unforgettable Reactions

As Grace finished her last note, the entire room went quiet before erupting into a massive standing ovation. The judges were visibly moved by what they had just heard. Howie Mandel was the first to speak, and he was full of praise.

He declared, “This is a show about surprises. You referred to yourself as a miracle, and in my opinion, you are a gorgeous, walking miracle.” He noticed the deep meaning behind her lyrics and added, “I believe that everyone will know your name, thus it is both right and wrong for people to not know it.” In a moment of pure excitement, Howie pressed the Golden Buzzer, showering the stage in gold confetti and sending Grace straight to the live shows. As she cried tears of joy, Howie hugged her and said, “You are incredible.”

Simon Cowell was equally impressed, comparing her songwriting skills to a music industry legend. He said, “Grace, you know what I predict for you. You could be the next Taylor Swift.” He then turned to his fellow judges and remarked, “What a wonderful personality.”

The other judges agreed completely. Heidi Klum called the performance “amazing,” and Mel B noted that “She is unique.” Even Simon admitted he was a bit “annoyed” that he didn’t get to press the Golden Buzzer himself, stating, “I think we’ve got a star.”

Life After the Golden Buzzer

Grace’s performance didn’t just earn her a nickname; it led her to a very successful future. She went on to win the $1/1 million grand prize for Season 11 of America’s Got Talent. Since then, her career has grown in many directions.

She has released multiple albums and successfully moved into the world of acting. She starred in the Disney movie Stargirl and recently appeared in the film Megalopolis by Francis Ford Coppola.

Grace VanderWaal proved that being yourself is the best way to succeed. If you enjoyed this look back at her start, feel free to share this story with your friends and family, and leave a comment with your favorite Grace VanderWaal moment!