"I DON'T WANT TO BE TAYLOR SWIFT," Grace Vanderwaal says.

Grace VanderWaal requests that comparisons to Taylor Swift and other singing stars be avoided.

When Grace VanderWaal walked the stage for her America's Got Talent audition, she was dubbed the "Next Taylor Swift," but she wants the comparisons to stop.

Grace says in a new Instagram video that she doesn't want to be compared to other musicians. "I am not trying' to be Sia," Grace says in the video. "I am not trying' to be Melanie Martinez. I don't want to be Taylor Swift. I just want to be me, so please stop comparing."

In the caption of the 'gram, she reaffirmed her statement, stating, "I just want to say something that's been bothering me for a while and it's that I just want to be grace! Not Taylor Swift or Melanie or anyone else that I's compared to! I'm so grateful and take it as a HUGE compliment but I'm just trying to be me."

Grace VanderWaal has been compared to Taylor Swift ever since she performed on America's Got Talent. During her assessment, judge Simon Cowell even branded her the "new Taylor Swift," although Grace is much past that.

“I just want to say something that’s been bothering me for a while and it’s that I just want to be Grace!” she wrote on her Instagram with a little video.

Grace is clearly aware that the parallels are made out of love by fans, but she is also attempting to establish herself as her own person. It's only natural to draw parallels between artists you admire, especially when they're fresh on the scene. However, for budding artists, those parallels (which are meant to be kind) might feel restricting when they're attempting to carve out a distinct identity, and we admire Grace's ability to express herself and her desires on her own terms. Finally, "Grace Vanderwaal" took down the video she had posted on Instagram. "Grace Is Only Grace Vanderwaal with his own vocal style and attitude at the age of 13 only," according to our review.

2 Comments

CanisDecember 26, 2017 at 1:52 PM
"As per Our Review "Grace Is Only Grace Vanderwaal with his unique singing style and attitude at the age of 13 only.""

Last time I checked Grace is female although I would concede in the present environment it is difficult to be 100% sure.
AnonymousDecember 28, 2017 at 1:18 AM
I don't think there is any comparison in styles of music. Grace and Taylor are two very different artists with two unique styles. I think when Simon made this comparison, what he meant was that Grace is a unique artist, like Taylor Swift, and that she will quickly gain popularity because of her unique brand and style, much like Taylor Swift did. Also, I believe he meant that Grace is relevant and that the songs she sings represent today's youth and this will help people easily identify with her songs and lyrics. I believe if Grace stays true to herself, she will be unstoppable. That is why America fell in love with her and that is why she has the potential to become one of the biggest stars to ever come out of AGT.