Grace VanderWaal Opens Up About Her Journey in ‘Childstar’: Embracing Authenticity Through Music
Grace VanderWaal has been in the spotlight for nearly a decade.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter captured hearts when she won NBC’s America’s Got Talent at just 12 years old. However, she openly acknowledges that the music she created back then is quite different from what she has released this month on her new album, *Childstar*. “I feel what I was making before was just stupid and trash,” she shared during a Zoom call.
During her AGT days, VanderWaal was known for her ukulele performances and leaned toward the folk-pop-rock genre embraced by artists much older than herself. She released her debut album, *Just the Beginning*, at the age of 13. Now, VanderWaal, who took on a modest yet significant role in Francis Ford Coppola’s *Megalopolis* last year, has transitioned to an experimental pop sound with *Childstar*, her sophomore album released last week through Pulse Records.
This nine-track album explores her authentic experiences as a young woman in the music industry, complemented by a stunning performance video, *Childstar: Final Act*, which VanderWaal co-directed and co-choreographed. “I felt like I had no choice but to pull some weight and be a part of it,” she explained.
In a discussion about her new project, VanderWaal shared why she felt this was the right time to tell her story, how young women are treated in the industry, and what she hopes listeners will take away from her album.
**Why did you feel that this album needed the visual storytelling element with *Childstar: Final Act*? Why was it important for you to get that out there?**
“It’s a really complex topic, and I think there was so much room to express those feelings and conversations even further. So, I felt like taking it to that space was appropriate because there’s just so much to explore.”
**Can you talk a little bit about co-directing and co-choreographing the video as well?**
“I was just making slideshows. Literally, I walked into Pulse [Records] with a Google Slides presentation of five seconds, 15 seconds, and then ‘Grace falls into a pool of dancers.’ The choreography was intense. We only had three days to choreograph the entire thing – right before filming. It was really stressful.”
**The album seems to represent a significant progression for you, and it’s clearly personal. Can you describe the process of creating it? When did you realize it was time to share this part of your life?**
“Everything just felt natural. I think enough time has passed. I’m not scared of my own feelings or my story. For the first time, I was in a comfortable enough space to explore the things I’ve ignored for a while.”
**Was it challenging to reach a point where you could share this?**
“Everything happens with time. You get older, you toughen your skin, and you grow wiser and more confident. Those are all necessary to believe in yourself enough for a project like this. It’s brave, it’s different, and it won’t resonate with everyone. You need to be genuinely okay with that to start creating unusual projects.”
**Do you think your fans understood that you were taking your music in a new direction?**
“I think people are cool with it. If you like me, you probably appreciate my little niches and interests. I don’t think I’m straying too far from what my listeners enjoy. If it doesn’t resonate with them anymore, that’s okay too. It happens.”
**This album seems to focus on reclaiming your agency and power. What does that mean for you as a young woman who has been in this industry for a while?**
“Young women face so much pressure. You’re told from an early age that your life is for everyone else. I think about all the interviews I’ve done, and it feels like I’m always asked about handling my platform and taking responsibility. But do men get asked that as often? I’ve been questioned about it my whole life, and I find that liberating. I’m just living for myself now, whether I choose to be sexual or not. It doesn’t matter. I’ve accepted that if what I do resonates with you, great; if not, then that’s okay too.”
**What do you want people to take away from this album?**
“I don’t want to sound self-centered, but my job is inherently about me. I want people to think, ‘She’s capable.’ I want them to be excited to see what I can create. I believe I can do so much, and I want to share that with everyone.”
**What is one important thing you want people to know about this new stage in your career?**
“I want them to know that everything you see or hear comes from me in some way. I’m very passionate about that. You’ll never see or hear something that didn’t originate from me.”
Stay tuned for more updates from HiCelebNews as we continue to follow Grace VanderWaal’s journey and her impactful music career.
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