‘America’s Got Talent’ finale: Where does Grace VanderWaal stand in winner rankings?
At this particular point in time, we imagine that fans of Grace VanderWaal everywhere are in the process of celebrating her big victory on “America’s Got Talent” Wednesday night. We cannot really sit here and say that it was a surprise, given that we assumed she was the favorite to win almost from her first audition on. Yet, at the same time she’s a worthy winner, the first female winner of the show in a solid decade, and someone with the potential to actually put singers on the map with this show again after the majority of them fall by the wayside within a year or so of them appearing on the show.
So how does Grace, at least for now, compare to the other past winners of the series? We recently ranked all ten of the past winners, putting singer / ventriloquist Terry Fator firmly at #1 thanks to the runaway success he’s had in Las Vegas since the show.
We actually thought it would be a little bit easier to slot in the winner of this season than it was. To us, Grace fits in rather nicely in the #4 position, ahead of season 1 winner Bianca Ryan but behind Fator and some other recent winners including Mat Franco (#2) and Paul Zerdin (#3).
The biggest reason we’re banking on Grace to be a success after the show is that she’s a young singer in an era now where she can be more accessible in the months that follow the show. This is something that wasn’t really available to Bianca during the peak of her popularity; many of the other vocalist winners of the show were much older, and by association they weren’t as interested in social media to begin with.
Also, Grace is more than just a singer — she’s a songwriter, so we already know that she can succeed doing songs that are her own. None of the other winners in this category had that luxury.
We’re not sure Grace will become a major pop star overnight, but she’s got time. She also will be working with Simon Cowell and his super-team to ready an album in the coming months, and he does show patience when it comes to artists he really believes in.
How do you think Grace compares to some other past winners of the show? Share now in the comments, and head over here to get some other TV news on everything we cover, sent right over to you via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: NBC.)
Sargoss Golek
November 14, 2016 @ 4:05 am
GV is the obvious #1 of the #1s! Hands down.
But we mustn’t forget Jackie Evancho and Lindsey Stirling, the real #1. At least for now…
Matt Carter
November 14, 2016 @ 5:28 am
It’s really crazy to think back at some of the really good people who didn’t win the show — or in some cases even make it to the finale. Really just goes to the show the best use for AGT is a training ground and temporary platform.
Sargoss Golek
November 15, 2016 @ 5:52 am
it depends on what kind of ppl u r searching for. For Vegas: no pb.
Real stars: this means singers. Who did we get?
1. Bianca: #1 1st season. power voice, but (quasi) flop. Doesn’t compose!
2. Lindsey: 1/4 finalist. composes and “performs a variety of music styles, from classical to pop and rock to electronic dance music.” Biggest success until now.
3. Jackie: #2. Found a nice niche: classical cross-over. But is losing steam. Big pb: Has got a limited fan base doesn’t compose!
4. Grace: #1. The only real star material. Grace’s got it all: looks, personnality, stage presence, totally unique voice, incredible composition ability ( music AND lyrics), unknown emotional appeal to all ages. Huge “market” potential: pop, rock (yes: see Gossip Girl in Vgas), indie, folk, even dance (!!??), etc… , but is already . Got a numerous and fierce fanbase more than ready to buy anything she’d publish. Videos with more than 100,000,000 views on YouTube. Songs with 10 thousands of covers all over the world. AND Hasn’t published any single or album yet.
Particularity: she’s 12 years old!!!
Btw, these r only females. What does it say about the contestants and AGT?
Ps; BGT has only a few “one hit” stars.
Please forgive my English. I’m no native speaker.
Sargoss Golek
December 4, 2016 @ 5:08 am
remember Lindsey Sterling, eliminated in the quarters.
Matt Carter
December 4, 2016 @ 6:15 am
Definitely do! It’s proof that the best people are one who learn from the experience and think of it as a step rather than what controls their ultimate destiny.