Eight years after winning America’s Got Talent, Grace VanderWaal is still remembered as the shy 12-year-old from Kansas who wowed the world with her ukulele and introspective songs. But at 20, she’s far from that image.
In a recent interview with Variety, VanderWaal shared a surreal moment she had while out with friends. A woman, shocked at seeing her as an adult, exclaimed, “You’re a woman! You’re a grown-up!” VanderWaal laughs as she recalls having to gently guide the fan through this realization, saying, “She just couldn’t handle it.”
These days, VanderWaal encounters this reaction often, as fans struggle to reconcile her current self with the image of innocence and youth they’ve held onto. “I’ve been afraid to shatter that dream for people,” she admits. “But I want you to ask yourself, why does it affect you personally? It’s been sad, but also incredibly freeing to reclaim who I am.”
After winning AGT, VanderWaal’s debut EP Perfectly Imperfect became the best-selling EP of 2016, followed by her first album Just the Beginning in 2017, which built on her signature ukulele-driven sound. However, VanderWaal has since evolved, releasing singles with a grittier edge and more complex production, shedding her former pixie-girl persona.
Now, she’s gearing up to release her second full-length album, one that she says truly reflects who she is today. After signing with Pulse Records, she began shaping the album in a “conceptual” direction, hinting that it will challenge her audience. “It’s going to upset people and make them uncomfortable,” she says. “I’m talking about serious, heavy topics, which isn’t super mainstream.”
VanderWaal revealed that her bold vision scared off several record labels, but Pulse embraced her ideas. “I was saying crazy stuff, and they were like, ‘We love it! Let’s freak people out together.’”
For the album’s first single, VanderWaal chose a gentler track to ease fans into her new sound. Released on August 16, “Call It What You Want” is a grunge-infused pop number that serves as a “reintroduction.” Her latest release, “What’s Left of Me,” delves deeper into the album’s darker themes, exploring the aftermath of a life-altering breakup. “It’s not just sadness; it’s disgust,” she says. “It’s like, ‘You changed me, but you don’t deserve the credit for that.’”
VanderWaal’s artistic growth extends beyond music. After starring in Disney’s Stargirl and its sequel, she’s taken on a drastically different role in Francis Ford Coppola’s upcoming film Megalopolis. In the movie, she plays Vesta Sweetwater, a wholesome pop star caught in a deep-fake scandal, leading her to rebrand her career. VanderWaal connected with the character and even wrote two original songs for the film.
Coppola had been following VanderWaal’s career for years and offered her the role during their first meeting. “It was such a collaborative experience,” she says, reflecting on the unexpected creative freedom she had. “I had so much input on the character that I had to remind myself not to abuse that power.”
Despite the positive experience, VanderWaal remains focused on her music. “I wouldn’t do anything just for a check or to be on-screen,” she says. “I spent my whole childhood on-screen. Music is my main focus now.”