Top 30 Grace VanderWaal Quotes

Growing up so close to New York City, I always loved going to the city, but I’d be disappointed because songs about New York always made it seem so magical and perfect, and when I was younger, I just thought it was busy and dirty.

I think there’s a misconception about the industry, that you have to change who you are to look ‘cool’ in order to succeed, and that’s just not true.

‘Famous’ is a very weird word. I feel like – I feel like that’s definitely not me.

I love colors, but I also love rich sounds. And I feel like when it comes to colored ukuleles, people assume they’re cheap or that they’ll have a tinny sound. And I feel like it would be really beautiful to have a rich color but also to have a rich sound.

What I think is cool about Fender, and what originally drew me to them, was the Fender electric guitar headstock, which I’ve never seen on another ukulele. I feel like a rock star when I’m tuning it.

Always be kind, but kindness doesn’t mean that you have to not say what you think.

Schools should be safe.

The world is unpredictable.

I do school online. My favorite thing to do with school is to finish things and then watch it go away, especially when I am working on a laptop.

I started writing once I got the ukulele.

I always want to stay true to who I am, and if people don’t like that, then that’s okay. I think fans appreciate when you’re genuine and honest, and that’s how I try to be through all of this.

Not so much the sound but as a person, I would say Katy Perry inspires me because you can always see that she’s being true to herself. She focuses on her music and even turns down big producers. Her whole career and music is about her being herself. I want to be more like that.

I’ve become a ukulele hoarder.

Record labels and producers are not looking to change you: they are looking to make a star. And what they might think is a star may not be you.

I’m obsessed with Lorde. Oh my gosh. I’m always listening to Lorde. Her music is so powerful.

The world is so big, and there’s so many people, and there’s only one you, and that’s so special and unique to think about.

My fans should always be ready for new music.

I want to thank everyone who supported me on ‘AGT.’ Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I really can’t thank you enough.

I’ve accomplished so much, have done so many projects, and have worked with such amazing people.

The crowd really controls how I am onstage. One show, it might be a lot of young people, super-high-energy dancing. I mirror that. Other shows, it’s much more calm.

Probably my sister was the only one to tell me that I was good singer until ‘America’s Got Talent.’

I feel like my fans and I are all friends.

I’ll forever look at Imagine Dragons and hear them on the radio and think, ‘They’re great people.’

My advice for someone just learning the ukulele would be to have fun with it and not take anything too seriously. Some songs that I think are great for beginners would be, ‘House of Gold,’ ‘Riptide,’ and ‘I Don’t Know My Name.’

I think it’s so important for women and girls to feel like they have a voice and to come together and support each other.

Don’t be afraid to cry. Everyone needs a good cry sometimes. Sometimes I’ll feel it in my throat, like, ‘Today I’m going to cry about something stupid,’ so just to get it out of the way, I’ll watch a sad movie or something, accepting that that’s totally fine and feels good.

I remember I asked my mom for a ukulele, and she said no because she thought I would never play it. So then I got my birthday money up, and I bought my own. It was the most rebellious thing I’ve ever done.

Regular school is one bajillion times easier than online school. I want friends; I want a social life. I want that experience in my life.

I love everything Katy Perry does.

I want my music to evolve to become more me.