Key Highlights
- Research suggests Grace VanderWaal’s net worth is around $3 million, though estimates can vary based on sources like music earnings and acting roles. It seems likely that her wealth stems mainly from albums, tours, and films, with potential growth from upcoming 2026 projects.
- She became famous through her AGT victory, but her story includes overcoming the challenges of child stardom, as shared in recent interviews.
- Biggest achievements include hit albums like Childstar (2025), roles in Stargirl and Megalopolis, and awards like Billboard’s Rising Star.
- Currently, she’s teasing new music and projects for 2026, keeping fans excited about her evolving career.
A Quick Look at Her Rise
Grace’s big break came in 2016 when her audition song “I Don’t Know My Name” went viral, earning praise from judges and viewers alike. Since then, she’s released multiple albums, toured with big names like Imagine Dragons, and stepped into acting with Disney and acclaimed directors. Her music often draws from personal experiences, blending pop with indie influences.
Net Worth Snapshot
Estimates place her fortune at $3 million, built from music sales, streaming, live performances, and acting gigs. While not among the highest in Hollywood, it reflects her steady growth without major controversies.
Grace VanderWaal shot to fame as a ukulele-wielding prodigy on America’s Got Talent, captivating audiences with her original songs and raw talent at just 12 years old. Today, at 22, she’s evolved into a multifaceted artist, blending music, acting, and storytelling in ways that continue to inspire young fans. Her journey from reality TV winner to indie-inspired musician highlights resilience and creativity, making her a standout in the entertainment world. Curious about Grace VanderWaal’s biography and net worth? Let’s dive in.
Personal Details Table
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Grace Avery VanderWaal |
| Nickname / Stage Name | Grace VanderWaal |
| Date of Birth | January 15, 2004 |
| Age | 22 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Lenexa, Kansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter, actress |
| Known For | Winning America’s Got Talent season 11 in 2016 |
| Height | 5 feet 7½ inches (171 cm) |
| Family / Spouse | Father: David VanderWaal (vice president of marketing at LG Electronics, Dutch descent); Mother: Tina VanderWaal (silversmith and glass artist, deceased in 2025 at age 53); Siblings: Older brother Jakob, older sister Olivia; Currently single, no spouse or children |
| Education | Began homeschooling after AGT win, took online courses for 7th grade; Attended public school part-time; Graduated from Laurel Springs School in 2022 |
| Social Media Followers | Instagram: Over 6 million; Facebook: About 1 million; X (Twitter): Around 229,000; YouTube: Approximately 3 million subscribers (as of recent data) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $3 million (based on 2025 estimates from sites like Celebrity Net Worth) |
These details come from reliable sources like Wikipedia and IMDb, with social media figures pulled from her official profiles. Net worth is an estimate, as celebrities often keep their finances private.
Early Life & Background
Grace Avery VanderWaal entered the world on January 15, 2004, in Lenexa, Kansas, a quiet suburb near Kansas City. Her family, including parents Tina and David, plus siblings Jakob and Olivia, moved to Suffern, New York, in 2007 when her dad took a job as vice president of marketing at LG Electronics. Growing up in a supportive household, Grace showed creativity from a young age. By three, she was already making up songs, often inspired by movies and emotions she saw in characters.
Her mom, Tina, was a talented silversmith and glass artist who encouraged Grace’s artistic side until her passing in 2025 at age 53. Grace’s dad, with his Dutch roots, provided stability amid the family’s moves. As a kid, Grace dove into music, learning the ukulele at 11 after watching YouTube videos of a Brazilian au pair and the band Twenty One Pilots. She bought her first one with birthday money, even though her mom said no at first. She also played saxophone in her school marching band, showing her love for instruments early on.
School wasn’t always straightforward. After her AGT win, Grace switched to homeschooling to handle her rising fame, mixing online classes with some public school time. She graduated from Laurel Springs School in 2022, balancing education with a whirlwind career. These early years built her unique voice, one that mixes whimsy with depth, setting the stage for her big break.
Career Journey & Achievements
Grace’s path to stardom kicked off in 2015 when she started posting original songs and covers on YouTube, performing at local open mic nights near Suffern. She studied music theory on her own, drawing from artists like Jason Mraz, Twenty One Pilots, and Katy Perry. But everything changed in 2016, at age 12, when she auditioned for America’s Got Talent season 11.
The AGT Breakthrough
Her audition with “I Don’t Know My Name,” an original tune about self-discovery, earned a golden buzzer from judge Howie Mandel and went viral, racking up over 100 million views. It became YouTube’s fifth trending video that year. Grace sailed through the competition, performing originals like “Beautiful Thing” (dedicated to her sister), “Light the Sky,” and “Clay” (about bullying). On September 14, 2016, she won the season, becoming the second female and second child champion. Simon Cowell dubbed her “the next Taylor Swift,” and she used part of her $1 million prize for charity and fun projects like treehouses.
Music Career
Right after AGT, Grace signed with Columbia Records and Syco Music. Her debut EP, Perfectly Imperfect (December 2016), included AGT tracks and debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, selling best among EPs that year. “I Don’t Know My Name” charted on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.
In 2017, her full album Just the Beginning hit No. 22 on Billboard, with singles like “Moonlight.” She toured extensively: the Just the Beginning tour (2017-2018), opening for Imagine Dragons’ Evolve World Tour (2018), and her Ur So Beautiful tour (2019). Her 2019 EP Letters Vol. 1 featured introspective tracks like “Ur So Beautiful.”
After a break to grow artistically, Grace released her second album Childstar in April 2025, inspired by indie acts like Lorde and Girl in Red. It came with a short film performance piece and the Childstar Tour in May 2025. Singles like “Call It What You Want” and “High” showed her maturing sound. As of 2026, she’s teasing more music and projects, promising an exciting year ahead.
Acting Career
Grace stepped into acting in 2020, starring as Susan “Stargirl” Caraway in Disney+’s Stargirl, based on the novel. Critics praised her natural charm, and she contributed songs to the soundtrack, like “Today and Tomorrow.” She returned for the 2022 sequel Hollywood Stargirl.
In 2024, she played Vesta Sweetwater in Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, writing and performing two songs for it. She also sang “The Impossible Dream” at the Kennedy Center Honors that year. These roles highlight her versatility beyond music.
Awards and Milestones
Grace’s trophy case includes two Radio Disney Music Awards (Best New Artist 2017), a Teen Choice Award for Choice Next Big Thing (2017), Billboard’s Women in Music Rising Star (2017), and MTV Europe Music Award for Best Push Act (2018). She’s appeared on Billboard’s 21 Under 21 list five times and was the youngest on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Music list in 2018. In 2019, New York State honored her for supporting music education in East Ramapo.
Personal Life & Relationships
Grace keeps her personal life low-key, focusing on growth amid fame’s pressures. She’s single, with past rumors unconfirmed. No kids or long-term partners in the spotlight, she seems dedicated to her art.
Hobbies include vintage collecting (since age eight or nine), playing piano by ear (a recent passion), and hobbies like figuring out songs without sheets. She’s spoken openly about child stardom’s challenges, like public scrutiny, in interviews with Teen Vogue. Her mom’s death in 2025 was a tough loss, but Grace channels emotions into music. She lives a grounded life, reflecting on fame’s “sink or swim” nature, and advises her younger self: “Don’t trust everyone.”
Net Worth & Financial Overview
Grace VanderWaal’s estimated net worth sits at about $3 million, according to sources like Celebrity Net Worth (updated July 2025). Keep in mind, these are estimates based on public data from music sales, tours, acting paychecks, and endorsements; actual figures could differ as celebrities don’t always disclose details.
Her income breaks down like this:
- Music: Major earnings from albums (Perfectly Imperfect sold big in 2016), streaming (over 675 million worldwide by 2019), and tours (headlining and opening acts).
- Acting: Roles in Stargirl series and Megalopolis added to her profile, including soundtrack contributions.
- Other Sources: Appearances at events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, benefit concerts, and deals like her 2025 Steve Madden footwear campaign. Social media influence (13+ million followers by 2024) likely brings sponsorships.
Grace’s wealth grew steadily from her AGT prize, smart deals, and consistent output. Projections from sites like Hafi suggest annual income could reach $1.5-1.9 million from platforms, but that’s speculative. She’s not flashy, focusing on creativity over extravagance.
Notable Facts & Trivia / Fun Info
- At 12, Grace was the youngest AGT winner since Bianca Ryan in season 1.
- Her AGT audition is one of the show’s most-viewed, inspiring countless young musicians to pick up ukuleles.
- She’s modeled for Steve Madden and performed at global events like the 2017 Special Olympics in Austria.
- Grace collects vintage items and enjoys hobbies like covering songs by ear, recently sharing Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” on social media.
- In 2026, she’s hinting at new music, art collections, and more, calling it her “creation year.”
- Fun fact: She once built treehouses with her AGT winnings, showing her whimsical side.
Impact & Legacy
Grace VanderWaal matters because she proves young talent can thrive authentically. Winning AGT at 12 broke barriers, encouraging kids to create original music instead of covers. Her influence ripples through pop and indie scenes, with her ukulele style inspiring a wave of bedroom musicians.
In culture, she’s a voice for child stars, discussing fame’s toll in essays and songs, promoting mental health awareness. Albums like Childstar explore growing up in the spotlight, resonating with fans facing similar pressures. Her legacy? Empowering the next generation to embrace quirks, chase dreams, and evolve without losing themselves. As she enters her 20s, Grace’s story reminds us that true stars shine through challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Estimates put it at $3 million, from music, acting, and endorsements. These are based on public info and could change with her 2026 projects.
She won America’s Got Talent season 11 in 2016 with original ukulele songs, going viral and launching her career.
Winning AGT, releasing albums like Childstar, starring in Stargirl and Megalopolis, and earning awards like Billboard’s Rising Star.
In 2026, she’s working on new music, projects, and possibly more acting, based on her recent social media teases.
Yes, including Teen Choice, Radio Disney, and MTV EMA awards, plus spots on Forbes and Billboard lists.
It draws from indie artists like Lorde and her experiences as a child star, with a short film adding visual depth.
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