Hudson Valley's VanderWaal Takes the Top Prize on 'America's Got Talent'

SUFFERN, NY — The Hudson Valley 12-year-old with a big voice and a little ukulele took home the big prize Wednesday when she was named the winner of the 11th season of “America’s Got Talent.”

Grace VanderWaal of Suffern was up against the mentalist team The Clairvoyants when host Nick Cannon read her name at the end of the two-hour results show.

VanderWaal immediately started sobbing as the audience went crazy, confetti started falling and judge Howie Mandel leapt onto the stage.

“You sang that every person is a shining star,” Mandel said to VanderWaal. “You are a shooting star. You are on your way. I love you. You are so special.”

Her prizes for winning the competition are $1 million and a performance in Las Vegas.

VanderWaal told People magazine that she wants to give money to charity, when asked what she was going to do with the million dollars.

During the two-hour season finale, VanderWaal performed the number that started it all: her original song “I Don’t Know My Name.”

Her journey started June 7 when VanderWaal startled the viewing audience by playing the ukulele and singing a song she had written.

That first performance prompted comedian Howie Mandel to call her a miracle and he hit the Golden Buzzer that propelled her to the live performances.

@GraceVanderWaal took to Twitter after the big win Wednesday with the hashtag #MiraclesDoHappen, saying to the judges, “Thanks so much. This has been the greatest night of my life.”

VanderWaal will be performing October 27-29, 2016, in the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The engagement is part of “America’s Got Talent Live,” a stage show version of the series.

Tickets are on sale at AGTvegas.com or by phone at 702-777-2782 or 855-234-7469.

Photo caption: Grace VanderWaal seconds before she was announced as the winner of "America's Got Talent." Photo credit: YouTube.