"America's Got Talent" season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal's victory from the recently concluded competition may not have come as a surprise to her fans and AGT viewers alike. From the get-go, the widely touted child wonder and "the next Taylor Swift" impressed the show's judges with her performances of her original songs.
Simon Cowell was among the first who noticed the 12-year-old's striking similarities to the "Bad Blood" singer. He called her "the next Taylor Swift" after her audition last June. Cowell's flattering comment was believed to have become VanderWaal's inspiration in reaching her dreams and in working hard to a great singing career just like Swift.
But being compared to the pop superstar, VanderWaal seems to take a different view about her singing style and said, "You know I want to be unique and my own person. I think what Simon meant by that was the success. I mean everyone knows Taylor Swift, there is not one person who doesn't know and I think that is what he implied by that!" Her statements show that the AGT season 11 champion is not only talented but also an outspoken and unique person ready to stand out.
VanderWaal wants to be famous not because she is like Swift but because her songs -- just like the song she auditioned with, "I Don't Know My Name" -- will impress the world and the people with their messages and meaning. Wanting to stand out from other songwriters, VanderWaal wants her songs to be heard with powerful messages by all people.
As another judge, Heidi Klum, said, "She doesn't sound like a little girl; she doesn't sing little-girl songs." With these comments from the judges, VanderWaal is set to be singing heartfelt songs which are very uncommon these days.
Aside from enjoying the admiration of Cowell, VanderWaal also won the heart of AGT co-judge Howie Mandel, who was engaged with her performance and even commented that VanderWaal is a living, beautiful, walking miracle.
With the stardom paved for VanderWaal, there is nothing going wrong for this great singer in the making. Whether the next Swift or not, this not-so-little girl seems ready to face whatever lies ahead for her singing career.
