America’s Got Talent revealed the winner on Wednesday night’s results show, but it came as no surprise. It had been predicted by the judges, but also was pretty obvious from the millions of hits her YouTube videos received.
Winning the title was 12-year-old, ukulele playing Grace VanderWaal, who earned America’s votes for her indie pop performances of original songs that she wrote.
Grace will be taking home the $1 million and headlining a show in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on Oct. 27, 28, and 29.
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When her name was announced, Grace, who was Howie Mandel‘s Golden Buzzer pick, burst into tears, and then reassured host Nick Cannon that they were tears of joy.
Following Grace in second place were The Clairvoyants, Jon Dorenbos was No. 3, Brian Justin Crum finished fourth, and wrapping up the Top 5 was Sal Valentinetti.
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Parade.com spoke to Grace on the red carpet after her win:
How does it feel to have won?
It really is unbelievable. I feel I am living my dream.
Over the season, you’ve been compared to Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson. How does that feel?
This whole experience has been so surreal, but what it all comes down to is they are amazing musicians, who write amazing songs. To even have someone think about comparing me to someone like that is truly amazing.
Is there an artist whose career you would like to emulate?
Maybe the success level of Taylor Swift, that would be amazing, but really, honestly, as long as I can get a living off of anything in music, I am going to be happy.
Who do you listen to?
I don’t really listen to people in the style I like to sing. I like to sing more indie pop but I like all music. I like Odessa, Meghan Trainor, Elle King, twenty one pilots, radio pop, and everything.
Do you have any role models musically?
twenty one pilots because they really started from the bottom.
What kind of artist do you want to be?
As long as I can make a living off of anything music, but preferably singing, that would be the dream for me.
Were you nervous when you went out on stage?
Yes. Trust me, on that stage, there’s no way to calm down.
Now that you won, what are you going to do next?
I don’t honestly know. I am trying to take it one step at a time. I am heading to Vegas. That’s what I am doing next. And we are going to have lots of people, I want Sal to be there, I want Linkin’ Bridge to be there, I want Laura Bretan to be there, I want everyone.
Any immediate plans for this weekend?
I want to get some rest. This has been really draining, amazing, but draining.
Did The Clairvoyants tell you that you were going to win? They should have known.
I remember when I first met them, the first thing I said was, “What am I thinking about right now?” They said, “We’re off right now.”
Is there something you want to buy yourself? You did get some money from this.
Of course, I want to give to charity, probably a music charity. Also, I want to go on Treehouse Masters and get a treehouse. It’s been a lifelong dream. I remember my dad once told me he was going to build a treehouse, and he put three wooden planks on the trunk, but nothing else. So, I am going to try to get Treehouse Master to do it for me.
Imagine how fun that would be. In the winter, when you’re playing in the snow, you could go up there and make some hot cocoa in your socks and then zipline over [to the house].
Do you want to go to college?
I don’t really know. I am going to take it as it comes.
America’s Got Talent will be filming a Christmas special, featuring several of the top acts from Season 11, with the airdate to be released at a later date.
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