Simon Cowell made a bold prediction about a 12-year-old singer with a ukulele: “I think you’re the next Taylor Swift.”
That’s what he told Grace VanderWaal after she wowed the “America’s Got Talent” judges in Tuesday’s auditions with a heart-piercing song she wrote about herself that immediately shot her into the semifinals.
“I don’t know my name. I don’t play by the rules of the game,” she sang. “I’m lost, trying to get found in an ocean…”
The Suffern, New York, resident left the judges amazed as she took them, with a shy smile, on a musical ride peaking with, “I now know my name.”
Howie Mandel called her “a living, beautiful, walking miracle” — then pressed the golden buzzer that sent her to the live semifinals.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
The 12 year old gave a good performance although it was hard to hear her because the audience was making so much noise as usual. That said, the judges reactions were waaay over the top! How can you say she is the next Taylor Swift with only one performance? Gimmee a break! Howie Mandel is ridiculous as he says almost every other act is the “best ever”. The judges need to temper their initial reactions and give each act a chance to prove themselves over their next two or three performances.
She’ll be either Taylor Swift or Amy Whinehouse, depending on whether or not they make sure she gets to grow up like a little girl should and not push her until she snaps. The kid is good, but she isn’t an adult yet- don’t hurt this little jewel- because G_D damn you if you do just to make money off of her.
Thank you for posting this video clip. I don’t watch the show, so I would have missed the performance. The girl is a very talented singer, and she will only get better as her appealing first performance nervousness fades and her confidence grows. She can really belt it out in the higher registers. And she wrote the song, too, about no one knowing her name! It’s too soon to tell, but I wish her the best of luck.
Once again, thank you for posting the clip. We desperately need something positive once in a while.
Hopefully, Grace isn’t singing about all of her stupid ex-boyfriends 5/6 years from now. But she does have a strong distinctive voice. It also seems she’s still unspoiled-not like that stupid Canadian brat (you know who). Good luck Grace.