Grace Avery VanderWaal, born on January 15, 2004, in Kansas, USA, is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and actress, celebrated for her unique voice and captivating performances. VanderWaal first gained national recognition as the winner of the eleventh season of the NBC competition show America's Got Talent in 2016, where she showcased her original songs and charmed audiences with her talent at just 12 years old.

Growing up in Suffern, New York, VanderWaal cultivated her love for music from a young age. She began her career by posting videos of her original compositions and covers on YouTube, quickly amassing a following. Her journey took a significant turn when she auditioned for America's Got Talent, where her heartfelt performances and original works resonated with both the judges and the audience, ultimately leading to her victory in the competition.

Following her success on America's Got Talent, VanderWaal released her debut EP, Perfectly Imperfect, in December 2016 through Columbia Records and Syco Music. The EP was a commercial success, becoming the best-selling EP of that year. In 2017, she released her first full-length studio album, Just the Beginning, which debuted at number 22 on the U.S. Billboard 200, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the music industry. In 2019, she followed up with a second EP, Letters Vol. 1.

VanderWaal's live performances have included notable appearances at prestigious venues and events, such as the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden, and the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. She embarked on her first concert tour in 2017 in support of Just the Beginning, and later toured with the band Imagine Dragons during their Evolve World Tour in 2018. In 2019, she opened for Florence and the Machine before launching her own Ur So Beautiful tour.

In addition to her music career, VanderWaal made her acting debut in 2020, starring as Susan "Stargirl" Caraway in the Disney+ musical drama film Stargirl, a role she reprised in its 2022 sequel, Hollywood Stargirl. Her artistic versatility has garnered her a range of accolades, including two Radio Disney Music Awards, a Teen Choice Award, and the 2017 Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award. Additionally, she was honored with the 2018 MTV Europe Music Award for Best Push Act and has been included multiple times in Billboard magazine's 21 Under 21 list of promising young music stars. In 2021, she became the youngest person ever to be featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 music list.

As of 2025, VanderWaal released her second full-length album, Childstar, followed by the Childstar Tour in May. Her journey from a YouTube sensation to a celebrated artist and actress showcases her immense talent and dedication to her craft, making her a significant figure in contemporary music and entertainment.