Grace VanderWaal’s New Music & Movie, Says “I Like Being In Pain,” Presidential Election Take | Billboard News

America’s Got Talent season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal talks about her new music, “Call It What You Want” and “What’s Left of Me,” how she uses pain as her inspiration, how her perception of fame was shattered at a young age, her take on the presidential election, her role in Megalopolis and more!

We’re here today with former America’s Got Talent winner, former Billboard 21 Under 21 recipient, singer-songwriter and actress Grace VanderWaal. Grace, welcome. 

Wow, thank you. 

You’re releasing two new singles.

Yes.

And you’re going to be in a movie. So we have a lot to talk about. 

Oooh yeah, girl.

Let’s get into it. 

Let’s do it. Let’s crack the egg. 

You achieved incredible success at a really young age. How has that affected you as you continue to work today? 

Instead of describing it as, like, experiencing success at a young age, I would like describe it as like the facade of fame being shattered for me, very, very early, which I’m eternally grateful for. Unreachable fame is the one thing that you can absolutely promote so that people are constantly and it’s like meeting God and then he’s like, meh. You know, you would have an existential crisis. And so, like, I very much discovered at an early age, I was like, “Oh this is completely hollow.” And like, you just need to, like, love the art, and like, I will never chase, you know that fulfillment or facade at all, you know what I’m saying?

It like, separates you and your work from your ego. 

Yes, exactly, at a very early age, too. Yeah.

Keep watching for more!

Katie Cao

Billboard