One year ago a 12-year-old stepped out on the stage to
audition as a singer, songwriter, and ukulele player for America’s Got Talent.
Wearing a navy blue top over a long white collared button-down, yellow tight-fitting jeans and
flats, Grace VanderWaal wowed the crowd with her talent, earning her the golden
buzzer. Just a few months later, Grace was crowned the winner of AGT, winning $1
million. Since then, the almost-14-year-old came out with an Extended Playlist,
a full-length album, and has won multiple awards for her talent. Most recently
she was seen on stage at Billboard's Women in Music 2017, winning the honor
of Rising Star. At 13 ½, Grace is the youngest person to have received this
award, among many others, including Radio Disney Music Awards and Teen Choice Award.
Those who know me, know that I am not a big celebrity
follower- I once worked as a writer for a gossip column, but that was really my
entry into the celebrity world, and probably my last exit when I left after a
few months. Every now and then I will check in with the celebrity world and
find a character I connect to, like Emma Watson, or Dakota Fanning, or a
celebrity couple like Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton (I was pretty upset
when they broke it off).
So Grace- there is
something about her that I connect to. I liked her instantly when I saw her
first audition on America’s Got Talent. A pre-teen who wrote her own song,
taught herself to play the ukulele, and- according to her music- would act as
the person she was, rather than what people wanted her to be- and to share that
with the world… that was admirable. Grace made it through to the live shows,
and finally, won the million dollar prize.
The thing about Grace- she’s different than other rising
stars- her voice is raspy. She has a very easygoing personality (as per
interviews and live feeds with her fans). She is quite modest in her dress. And
her songs are about life- about society, about bullying, about friends, about
being your true self. I don’t find that with many other singers. Many artists
sing about love and breakups. Every now and then a song will come on depicting other life struggles. But Grace, in her writing, is unique. She is admirable.
And that’s why I am so proud.
With Grace as a rising star, I feel like our
world is changing- one doesn’t need the typical voice of an angel, or to wear particularly revealing
clothing, or have a loud, outgoing personality to be loved by America. It seems
our society is more open to different types of singers and personalities. And
Grace’s openness and growing fame with her out-of-the-box personality and style-
is what I believe makes Grace VanderWaal a true rising star.
