Imagine a 12-year-old girl standing barefoot on a stage, her ukulele slung low, her voice trembling with a wisdom beyond her years. That was Grace VanderWaal in 2016, a sprite from Suffern, New York, who turned a reality show spotlight into a supernova. Her pursuit of music wasn’t just a whim—it was a quiet revolution, a kid with a dream and a thrift-store instrument rewriting the rules of stardom. Grace’s story is one of raw talent, unshakable authenticity, and a journey that’s only just begun.

The Spark That Lit Her Path

Grace didn’t chase music; it found her like a lost friend. Born January 15, 2004, in Lenexa, Kansas, she moved to Suffern as a toddler, growing up in a tight-knit family with parents Tina and Dave, an ad exec at LG Electronics. Her motivator? A pure, unfiltered love for creating. At three, she was banging out tunes on a toy xylophone. By eight, she’d saved up for a ukulele after watching a friend play one on vacation in Brazil—it was cheap, quirky, and hers. She taught herself via YouTube, strumming covers of Taylor Swift and Twenty One Pilots in her bedroom. But it was her originals—scribbled in notebooks, sung to her sister Olivia—that set her apart. When her mom entered her in America’s Got Talent in 2016, Grace wasn’t dreaming of fame; she just wanted to share her songs. That spark turned into a wildfire.

A Thorough Biography: From Small Town to Big Dreams

Grace’s early life was ordinary—school, treehouses, a gaggle of pets—until music made it extraordinary. The middle child of three (older sister Olivia and younger brother Jake), she was a shy dreamer, more comfortable with melodies than math. Her parents nurtured her quirks, even when she’d belt out tunes at the dinner table. Pre-AGT, she busked on Suffern’s streets, her soprano floating over the clatter of coins. Then came Season 11 of America’s Got Talent. Her audition—“I Don’t Know My Name,” a self-penned gem—earned a Golden Buzzer from Howie Mandel. Simon Cowell dubbed her “the next Taylor Swift.” At 12, she won the whole damn thing, pocketing $1 million and a Vegas residency deal.

Post-AGT, Grace signed with Columbia Records, dropping her debut EP Perfectly Imperfect in 2016. She was still a kid—braces, bangs, and all—but her voice carried an old-soul ache. High school came with homeschooling to balance tours and recording. By 2019, she’d starred in Disney’s Stargirl, traded the uke for synths, and dyed her hair every color under the sun. Now 21 in 2025, she’s a seasoned artist, blending indie pop with cinematic flair, still writing from the heart.

Career Biography: Bands, Collaborations, and Rising Star Moments

Grace has largely flown solo—no formal bands here. Her AGT win didn’t spawn a group; it spotlighted her as a singular force. Early gigs featured backing musicians—drummer Ben Didelot and guitarist Eddie Martinez joined her for 2017’s Just the Beginning tour—but they were hired hands, not bandmates. Her most “popular band” is herself, Grace VanderWaal, a one-woman show with a rotating cast of studio pros.

Relationships with artists? She’s collaborated sparingly but notably. In 2018, she duetted with Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds at a Vegas show, their voices meshing like fire and water. She’s tight with Ingrid Michaelson, who co-wrote “Rockabye” for her 2020 Letters Vol. 1 EP. Hollywood beckoned too—Grace played the titular role in Stargirl (2020) and its 2022 sequel, Hollywood Stargirl, penning soundtracks for both. TV appearances include The Today Show, Ellen, and a 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float. She’s dodged romance rumors—too busy building her empire.

Awards? Grace snagged the 2016 AGT crown, a Radio Disney Music Award for Best New Artist (2017), and a Teen Choice Award for Next Big Thing (2017). No Hall of Fame yet—she’s got decades to go. Her biggest songs shine bright:

• “I Don’t Know My Name” – Written by Grace VanderWaal, a 2016 breakout that’s all shaky innocence and soul.
• “Moonlight” – Grace’s 2017 single, co-written with Ido Zmishlany, a buoyant pop anthem.
• “Clearly” – A 2018 reimagining of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now,” penned by Nash, with Grace’s twist.
• “Clay” – Self-written for 2016’s Perfectly Imperfect, a fragile ode to self-worth.

Controversy: Growing Up in the Glare

Grace’s controversies are mild—she’s young, after all. In 2017, fans griped when she ditched the ukulele for a polished pop sound on Just the Beginning. “She’s selling out!” they cried. Grace shrugged: “I’m just growing.” In 2020, her Stargirl role sparked debate—some called it nepotism (it wasn’t; she auditioned). Her bold hair colors and edgy fashion—think shaved sides, neon streaks—ruffle conservative feathers, but she’s unfazed. On X, she’s clapped back at haters: “My art, my rules.” No scandals, just a teen testing boundaries.

A Night to Remember: The AGT Finale, 2016

Let’s rewind to August 24, 2016, Radio City Music Hall. Grace, barely five feet tall, steps into the AGT finale spotlight. She’s in a thrifted dress, ukulele in hand, facing millions. Her original, “Clay,” isn’t just a song—it’s a plea, a kid baring her soul about bullying and resilience. The first notes quiver; the crowd holds its breath. By the chorus—“I won’t let you make me into clay”—tears streak down faces. Howie Mandel’s on his feet; Mel B’s sobbing. When confetti rains and she’s named winner, Grace just giggles, wide-eyed, clutching her prize like a teddy bear. Backstage, she tells her mom, “I didn’t think they’d get it.” They did—12 years old, and she’d cracked the world open. That night, a star wasn’t born; she exploded.