‘America’s Got Talent’ Winner Grace VanderWaal Joins the BMI Family

BMI is excited to welcome new affiliate Grace VanderWaal, the aspiring young singer/songwriter who won the 11th season of America’s Got Talent. The 12-year old New York native has garnered praise from some of the recording industry’s biggest stars, including BMI Icon Stevie Nicks, who applauded VanderWaal’s talent and individuality by telling the show’s host, Nick Cannon, that “[Grace] reminds me a lot of me in a lot of ways.” Nicks went on to say, “She’s got it. Whatever happens, Grace is going to the top.”

After being dubbed the “next Taylor Swift” by Simon Cowell, VanderWaal went on to win the coveted title in last week’s season finale. Although the young music creator received a flood of congratulatory notes on social media, it was fellow BMI songwriter Taylor Swift who surprised Grace the most with a huge bouquet of flowers.