AGT winner Grace Vanderwaal to splurge on a tricked out treehouse

Publish date: 2024-06-02

'America’s Got Talent' season 11 - Finals Day 1

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

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