Critics were calling America’s Got Talent  the most exciting season yet, on Wednesday, Sept. 14. When it came down to the final three, only one percent of the vote separated magicians Jon Dorenbos and the Clairvoyants, and singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal. America was holding it’s breath in waiting, until Nick Cannon announced that VanderWaal had won the eleventh season of AGT over the roars of the audience.

Up until the moment I saw that twelve-year-old VanderWaal had won the entire thing, I was going to just write an overview of the finale. However, when the confetti cannons went off and VanderWaal teared up, I knew that I had to write about her for a very specific reason; Grace VanderWaal is going to be the next big person in music.

I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. Coming off a show like this, already weighed down by contracts and instant fame, it would be easy for VanderWaal to have a career like Justin Bieber or Britney Spears. Granted, she has more than enough raw songwriting and performing talent to last her for years, but sometimes for child stars the pressure becomes too much. They crack, and then every album after their stint in rehab is known as a comeback album (spoiler: they never come back).

However, I have a hunch that VanderWaal is different. From the moment she stepped up on stage for her first audition, she radiated the relatability and humbleness that America craves from their stars.

“Most of my friends don’t really know I sing,” VanderWaal said to judge Simon Cowell in her first audition, and the audience swooned.

From the very beginning she’s been a fan favorite, and her golden buzzer audition with an original song entitled “I don’t know my name” only won the audience over more.

From that first audition she went on to write originals for all her other performances, singing and playing the ukulele without fail. Even when she messed up, which happened occasionally, she just smiled, shrugged and went on with the set. Each song speaks to an experience she’s had in her lifetime, whether it be bullying, self discovery, or just growing up. What’s more, each song is written so perfectly that it sounds as though she’s had decades of experience in the music business.

Although VanderWaal is extremely young to be going into the music business, she has the potential to be the next Taylor Swift. This definitely won’t be the last America sees of her, and although she has a chance of becoming another cracked child star, I have a feeling she’s going to change music as we know it. For now though, I can’t wait to see what she has in store.