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The Clean Cut: 12-year-old ukulele player is 'next Taylor Swift,' Simon Cowell says
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Grace VanderWaal, a 12-year-old singer/songwriter from New York, was the second golden buzzer selection of this season of "Americas Got Talent." - photo by Kelsey Schwab
Grace VanderWaal, a 12-year-old singer-songwriter from New York, was the second golden buzzer selection on this season of NBC's "Americas Got Talent."

Grace performed an original tune, I Dont Know My Name," on her ukulele. After her performance, Howie Mandel was the first judge to speak. He pointed out the significance and irony of the song.

This is a show about surprises, and you used the word 'miracle,' and I think youre a living, beautiful, walking miracle. Your original (song) about people not knowing your name is so right and so wrong because I think the world is going to know your name, said Mandel, as he pushed the golden buzzer, sending Grace straight to the live portion of the competition.

Mandel wasnt the only judge who was impressed; Simon Cowell said he wished he had pressed the button before Mandel did.

Grace, do you know what I predict for you? I think you are the next Taylor Swift, Cowell said.

When Nick Cannon, the host of "Americas Got Talent," asked Grace how she felt, she said, I feel like Im daydreaming and Im getting ready to wake up, as she cried and was greeted by her parents and sister on stage.

Well, this is going to be a long dream because youre going straight through to the live show, Cannon said.

Grace shares this honor with 13-year-old opera singer Laura Bretan, who was the first golden buzzer selection of the season.

Watch the video on YouTube here.
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