After wowing the judges and home viewers of America’s Got Talent all season long, 12-year-old singer-songwriter Grace Vanderwaal was crowned champion of the NBC talent competition’s eleventh season, PEOPLE reports.
The moment @GraceVanderWaal‘s dream became a reality. #GraceVanderWaalWins pic.twitter.com/zMK8vy2FdC
— America’s Got Talent (@nbcagt) September 15, 2016
Vanderwaal immediately burst into tears when host Nick Cannon crowned her the winner, dropping to the ground as she processed the news.
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“How does it feel? These are tears of joy, right?” Cannon asked, with Vanderwaal responding, “Yes, of course!”
Judge Howie Mandel, who used his Golden Buzzer to send Vanderwaal permanently into the competition, joined the 12-year-old on stage for her life-changing moment. “I love you,” Mandel told her.
During the finale show, Vanderwaal performed her audition song, “I Don’t Know My Name,” later introducing special guest Stevie Nicks before Nicks performed “Landslide.”
“I have been watching this show from the very beginning. I have to say she reminds me a lot of me in a lot of ways,” Nicks said to Vanderwaal. “We sing very similar … we like to be weird and perky and we like to be a little different … and not like anybody else.”
“She’s got it,” Nicks added. “Whatever happens Grace is going to the top.”
As part of her prize, Vanderwaal won $1 million and a headlining show in Las Vegas, and the 12-year-old will has already nabbed a headling spot at the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Oct. 27, 28 and 29, Billboard reports. This season’s second place act, The Clairvoyants, and prop mime Tape Face will join Vanderwaal for all three shows.
This article first appeared on Womanista.com
