What Happened to Grace VanderWaal in 2018?

Cover Story / Music

What’s Really Going on with Grace VanderWaal in 2018?

By The Singer Stories

Let’s be real for a second—being a Grace VanderWaal fan in 2018 feels a lot different than it did back in 2016. We all remember that scrawny 12-year-old with the blonde bob and the yellow ukulele walking onto the America’s Got Talent stage. When Howie Mandel hit that Golden Buzzer, it wasn't just a TV moment; it felt like we were all witnessing the birth of a once-in-a-generation soul. But lately, as Grace has navigated her mid-teens, the internet has done what it does best: started whispering.

From comments about her "gaining weight" to skepticism about her new, polished pop sound, it’s time we set the record straight. As her official fan club, we’ve been watching her grow up right in front of our eyes, and honestly? It’s a beautiful thing to see. If you’re looking for the "little girl" from the AGT auditions, you might be looking in the wrong place. Grace is becoming a woman, an artist, and a global force—all at the same time.

The Girl Who Chased Movies (The Foundation)

Before the world knew her name, Grace was just a kid in New York who started writing songs at three years old. Can you imagine? While most of us were learning to tie our shoes, she was imagining the complex emotions of movie characters and putting them to paper. This wasn't just a hobby; it was a psychological outlet.

Grace has often talked about how she would watch a movie and, instead of just enjoying the story, she would try to feel what the characters were feeling. She’d then take those borrowed emotions and turn them into lyrics. That "old soul" energy is what made her so special. She didn't just learn the ukulele at eleven because it was trendy; she taught herself through YouTube because she had stories that needed a melody. By the time she stood in front of Simon Cowell, she wasn't just a "talent show contestant"—she was a seasoned songwriter in a 12-year-old’s body.

2017: The Year of "Just the Beginning"

To understand where Grace is in 2018, we have to look at the whirlwind of 2017. That was the year she proved she wasn't just a "one-hit-wonder" with a ukulele. Her full-length studio album, Just the Beginning, debuted at #22 on the Billboard 200. That’s incredible for a 13-year-old.

But it was more than just numbers. It was the first time we heard Grace experiment. Tracks like "Moonlight" and "Sick of Being Told" showed us a girl who was ready to step out of the acoustic folk-pop box. She started working with major producers like Greg Wells and Ido Zmishlany. She was learning the "business" of music while her peers were learning algebra. By the end of 2017, she had sold out her first solo headlining tour. The "Grace VanderWaal Fan Club" was growing, and the energy at those shows was electric.

The Summer of 2018: Touring with Giants

Now, let’s talk about 2018. If 2017 was about finding her voice, 2018 is about finding her stage. This summer, Grace took on a massive challenge: opening for Imagine Dragons on their Evolve World Tour.

Going from headlining small, intimate theaters to playing massive outdoor amphitheaters in front of 20,000 people is enough to give anyone whiplash. But Grace has handled it with grace (pun intended). She’s been out there every night, just her and her band, proving that she can hold her own next to rock giants. Fans in Tampa, Florida, and across the country have been posting videos of her sets, and the growth is undeniable. Her voice has deepened, her stage presence is more confident, and she’s not afraid to belt those high notes anymore.

"Grace is evolving, and that includes her body, her fashion, and her music."

Addressing the Whispers: The "Weight" and the "Change"

As Grace has grown more visible, the "skeptics" have gotten louder. We’ve all seen the comments. People saying she’s "gaining weight quickly" or that she doesn't "look like herself anymore."

Here is the truth: Grace was twelve when we met her. She is fourteen now. Between twelve and fourteen, a person’s body changes more than at almost any other time in their life. She is losing the "childhood" look and gaining the stature of a young woman. It’s natural, it’s healthy, and it’s frankly none of our business—except to support her.

The "skepticism" some people feel is often just a resistance to seeing our favorite "little girl" become a young woman. We want her to stay the girl with the bob and the uke because that feels safe. But an artist who stays "safe" is an artist who stops growing. Grace is evolving, and that includes her body, her fashion, and her music.

The New Sound: "Less Acoustic" doesn't mean "Less Grace"

Grace has been very open about her current creative process. She has stated that her new music will be "less acoustic" than her debut EP. For some of us who live for the raw, strumming sound of "I Don't Know My Name," that's a hard pill to swallow.

But listen to what she’s been doing in 2018. She’s been performing at the top of the Empire State Building for Valentine's Day. She’s been doing charity galas for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. In these performances, you can hear her voice maturing. It’s raspier, it’s more soulful, and it’s more controlled.

She’s moving into a "space-pop" or "indie-pop" vibe that feels more like Florence + The Machine or Regina Spektor. It’s sophisticated. She’s not just a girl with a uke; she’s a composer. She’s learning to use production as an instrument, and that’s a necessary step if she wants to have a career that lasts for decades.

A Heart for the World: Grace’s Charity Work

One of the reasons we, the Fan Club, are so proud of her in 2018 is how she uses her platform. Despite the pressure of the Imagine Dragons tour and recording new music, she hasn't stopped giving back.

In March 2018, she was a major part of several charity events. One event specifically encouraged young people to get involved in social causes—reminding us that Grace isn't just a singer; she’s a leader for her generation. She also performed at a Cirque du Soleil benefit gala that raised funds for water conservation and other global issues. Grace understands that the million-dollar AGT prize was a gift, and she’s spent a good portion of it (and her time) making sure she pays it forward.

Accolades and Looking Forward

The industry is noticing, too. In 2018, Grace was nominated for a Radio Disney Music Award for "Best Song That Makes You Smile" and won the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Push Act. She’s been on Billboard’s "21 Under 21" list multiple times, and she remains the youngest person ever included in the Forbes "30 Under 30" music list.

These aren't just trophies for her shelf. They are signals that Grace VanderWaal is a permanent fixture in the music industry. She isn't a "viral moment." she’s a career artist.

Final Thoughts: Standing with Grace

So, what happened to Grace VanderWaal in 2018? She grew up. She toured the world. She faced the critics. She wrote more songs.

To the skeptics: Stop worrying about her "look" and start listening to her growth. Grace isn't "lost"—she’s just finding a new version of herself. We’ve seen her go from a "homeschooled blonde kid with a dream" to a global pop force. It's an honor to be part of this community.

As we look toward the end of 2018, the anticipation for a second full-length album is reaching a fever pitch. We know she’s in the studio. We know she’s experimenting. And we know that whatever she releases next will be authentically "Grace."

Keep your eyes on her socials (@gracevanderwaal), but more importantly, keep your heart open to the change. Being a fan means evolving right along with her.