New York's Own Grace Vanderwaal Wins America's Got Talent

Grace Vanderwaal, the 12-year-old Suffern, NY native was crowned winner of America's Got Talent last night.

While Vanderwaal was shocked and moved to tears at the announcement, the win came as no surprise to judge Howie Mandel who had her picked to win from the very beginning. He told reporters, "The most amazing thing about Grace is that you haven't heard anybody who sounds like her," he says. "You haven't heard any lyrics from somebody that is like her, and we've been saying to her, you are the most unique, brightest star to come out of one of these shows." 

The world took notice of Vanderwaal at her audtion when she sang her original song, "I Don't Know My Name." She has been compared to Taylor Swift, to which Vanderwaal said is "truly amazing."

Vanderwaal's originality was also praised by guest performer, Stevie Nicks, who said, “I have been watching this show from the beginning, I have to say she reminds me a lot of me in a lot of ways. We sing very similar… We like to be weird and quirky and we like to be a little different… and not like anybody else."