‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 11 Winner Grace Vanderwaal Lands Spot On Billboard's 2016 List Of 21 Young Artists

Grace Vanderwaal just made it to Billboard’s 2016 List of 21 of promising musicians who are aged 21 years old and below.

According to the publication, the 12-year-old Suffern native made it to their list because of her sudden rise to fame after winning “America’s Got Talent” Season 11. In August, Vanderwaal took the Dolby Theater stage to perform her original songs. She first captured the attention of judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel when she sang her composition, “I Don’t Know My Name.” This also resulted in Vanderwaal receiving Mandel’s golden buzzer.

A few weeks later, the singer/composer surprised fans during her quarterfinals performance. At the time, Vanderwaal sang “Beautiful Thing,” which she dedicated to her older sister. Two weeks later, she sang “Light Up the Sky” in the semifinals. In the finale, Vanderwaal performed “Clay.” After winning “America’s Got Talent” Season 11, she landed a record deal with Cowell’s music company, Syco.

Meanwhile, Vanderwaal isn’t the only Syco artist who made it to Billboard’s Top 21 List for 2016. She was joined by the all-female group Fifth Harmony, who were also a product of a talent competition, and CNCO, an all-male group who won the reality show, “La Banda.” Other artists who made it to the list include Shawn Mendes, Desiigner, Martin Garrix, Daya, Alessia Cara, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lorde, Hailee Steinfeld, Zendaya, Jaden Smith, Lil Yachty, Sabrina Carpenter, Zara Larsson, Austin Mahone, Kodak Black, Kungs, Chloe & Halle and Lennon & Maisy.

In other news, Vanderwaal will be performing live in Las Vegas from Oct. 27 to 29 as “America’s Got Talent” Season 11’s winner. She will be joined by fellow contestant Tape Face, as well as several other acts that have yet to be announced. During her recent appearance in “Today,” Vanderwaal shared that her three-day concert is already sold out.