Grace VanderWaal Says “America's Got Talent” Forced Her to 'Sink or Swim': 'It Threw Me into Scrutiny'

The 'America's Got Talent' season 11 winner also shared her advice for her younger self, saying, "Don’t trust anyone"

Grace VanderWaal is reflecting on her experience on America's Got Talent.

The singer and actress, 20, took part in TikToker David Carmi's Confidence Heist videos. When asked what makes her confident on a New York City street, she initially responded, “Having somewhere to go makes you look confident because you’re just in a rush.”

Carmi followed up by asking about her “biggest struggle” as she rose to fame on season 11 of the NBC talent competition in 2016 at age 12.

Related: Grace VanderWaal Returns to the Limelight in 'Hollywood Stargirl' — See the First Photos

"I honestly felt like it helped me as a person because it threw me into scrutiny," she explained. "And just kinda forced me to sink or swim."

As for her secret to becoming a more confident person, she shared, “Just accept who you are… ew, that’s so corny but it’s true,” adding that people should focus on their “strengths.”

She also revealed the advice she would give her younger self, saying, “Don’t trust anyone.”

Related: America's Got Talent Winners: Where Are They Now?

In May, VanderWaal stepped out for the premiere of her film, Megalopolis. The movie marks VanderWaal’s third film since she got into acting after starting her music career, which includes two EPs and one studio album.

She first starred in the 2020 Disney+ film, Stargirl, and then its sequel, Hollywood Stargirl, in 2022.

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Back in 2022, the performer reflected on the moment when AGT judge Simon Cowell referred to her as the next Taylor Swift.

"Looking back, I have definitely faced the mental repercussions of that growing up," she told E! News at the time. "I keep learning about how to take care of myself better and my biggest thing recently is just acknowledging your triggers."

"I've been doing this for so long that you get desensitized to hate online,” she added. “I went through a ton of hate online when I was really young. I'm happy it happened though because it prepared me for this life."

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