The television event that always marks the end of summer for me, the season finale of America’s Got Talent, aired on Wednesday night. Probably to no one’s surprise, 12-year-old singer/composer/ukulele player Grace Vanderwaal won it all. She bested probably the best acts that have ever been on an AGT finale, including my beloved Tape Face and even the cheesy/vaguely creepy but amazing Clairvoyants – and don’t get me started on Brian Justin Crum, I’m saving my pennies for when he goes out on tour. Here’s Grace’s winning moment, it is kind of sweet (despite whatever the hell it is that Nick Cannon is wearing on his head).
Grace, whom AGT judge Howie Mandel felt could be the next Taylor Swift and was so confident in her talent that he gave her the coveted “golden buzzer,” was a bit too twee as far as I’m concerned, but she did write and perform all of her own original songs on the show. I think ukulele = twee. Remember Kate Micucci on Scrubs?
But, hey, she’s got a unique voice and definite talent, so I grudgingly admit she probably deserved the win. And, she’s humble about the victory, telling People Magazine she was overwhelmed about her victory. “It kind of takes a while to set in, but it’s really unbelievable. I feel like, I don’t feel, I am living my dream.”
Not only will Grace be headlining an America’s Got Talent revue at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas from October 27-29 (with Tape Face and the Clairvoyants), she also won $1 million. She says she wants to donate some of the money to charity (most likely a music charity, which is all kinds of awesome) and has plans for the perfect victory splurge for a 12-year-old girl. You might buy a sportswear or spring for an exotic vacation, but as for Grace, she says, “I want to go on Treehouse Masters and I want to get a treehouse.”
Ever since this show debuted, I always thought the kids should have their own show. Jackie Evancho should have won her season (over Michael Grimm. Remember him? Me neither). It’s really not fair to pair a couple of grade school-aged magicians (the saccharine sweet brother and sister duo Kadan Bart Rockett and Brooklyn) against the great Jon Dorenbos (even though he plays for the Philadelphia Eagles). Also, some of the precocious kids and stage parents who showed up on the show, especially during the auditions, make me want to throw something at the TV.
I am sure Grace will do great – hopefully she will fare better than season one winner Bianca Ryan, who had an amazing voice, but kind of fell off of the radar after releasing a few albums, including two Christmas albums. I think Grace has a long career ahead of her. Congrats, kid.
Photo credit: WENN.com, Getty Images
Little Grace is so darling and so talented. Amazing. I am so glad she won!
That’s an old face, she has on there. I know she’s probably tired from the contest, ugh, I don’t know. It’s like how I feel about Eleven. The girl who portrays that part is brilliant, but she’s only 13. When people write about her, it’s always ‘she’s so mature, she is beyond her years, she has something you can’t teach’, and all I can see is them merchandising and franchising her until she’s another 20 something with too much plastic surgery. I hope these kids take time off, like Claire Danes did.
I don’t watch AGT but I’ve seen videos of Grace performing. She seems super talented and sweet. I hope she has a good career and hope she’s able to stay grounded after being thrust in the spotlight at a young age.
Jackie Evancho should NOT have won!!!! As a classically trained singer, I cannot tell you enough about how wrong it is for children to be singing opera arias.
Anyway, at least Grace sounds like a 12 year old…which is MUCH MUCH MUCH better than if she sounded like a 35 year old.
It’s AGT. They wouldn’t know real opera/singers/talented-trained voices if they hit them in the face.
AGT should be called America’s Got Mediocrity.
I absolutely love this girl’s voice. I really hope she goes far.
The singer Jayna Brown was a thousand times better than Grace. Grace was cute but her voice was scratchy and cracked repeatedly…not a pleasant thing to listen to. Jayna Brown version of “Rise” was much better than Katy Perry!! Listen to it yourself and you’ll see!
I think that is the appeal to some people! I loved the scratchy/cracked aspects. Made it seem emotive and genuine. I hate typical broadway voices.
If I’d just won a million dollars I’d totally have a dream tree-house built as well. I’d live in it too. I love Tree house Masters.
Grace’s style of singing wasn’t my cup of tea. But I loved Jayna Brown’s singing. Her voice is so powerful and she had some great stage presence. Of all the singers, Brian Justin Crum was my absolute favorite. I would get multiple rounds of chills during his performances. “Man in the Mirror” wasn’t my favorite song choice for him and I’m thinking that it may have lead to him finishing 4th. I liked the Clairvoyants a lot, and John D. was entertaining and uplifting. The show had a lot of good talent this season.
I am not a huge fan of Grace’s singing style either. It’s never been my thing, even in the 90’s when that sound seemed to be everywhere.
Crum should have done a Queen song like his first audition. He has a voice made for that.
I cried watching her first audition! What a sweetheart, and gifted songwriter to boot.
I don’t watch AGT live, I usually end up Youtubing it way later on. I just watched Jon Dorenbos, that was so cool and Brian Crum. Amazing!
I don’t watch shows like these but I was intrigued so I checked the link here. Though this young lady might never attain Taylor Swift type popularity of even Fiona Apple type popularity, she will nevertheless always be an artist appreciated by some part of the population. Although nothing in life is ever guaranteed there is no question about it, she is a jewel. She has an interesting blend of youthful brightness and wise old soul inside a small little body with a full woman’s voice played like a musician’s instrument.
She will be the brightest star this program ever produced.