Grace VanderWaal is all grown up. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter and actress, who first captured our hearts as a ukulele-wielding prodigy on America’s Got Talent, is embracing her bratty, carefree side with her latest single, “Babydoll” — a sassy, unapologetic pop track featuring internet It Girl, Aliyah’s Interlude. It’s a playful, high-energy follow-up to her last release, the introspective “What’s Left of Me,” and a sign that VanderWaal is ready to let it all loose in this new chapter of her career.
“‘Babydoll’ is all about being in your diva era, and for me, it’s my new pop anthem!” she tells PAPER. Co-written with Tiffany Stringer, the track emerged from a studio conversation about her alter egos, with VanderWaal embracing the persona of a playful, high-maintenance diva who refuses to hear the word “no.”
The energy extends into its accompanying music video, directed by Sophie Hur, where VanderWaal and Aliyah exude effortless cool in a loose, spontaneous it-girl shoot. “Originally, we were supposed to shoot this in LA with a completely different treatment,” she says. “After some development, it made sense to just get together with Aliyah in New York and shoot this with the intention of feeling a little bit more carefree.”
The release, and her new attitude, is the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Over the years, VanderWaal has grown into a fearless, self-assured artist, shedding the wide-eyed innocence of her early music and stepping into a sound that feels entirely her own. In doing so, she’s solidified herself as a voice for Gen Z, effortlessly blending vulnerability with rebellion in a way that resonates with fans who have grown up alongside her.
This return to music follows a whirlwind year for VanderWaal, from starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s film Megalopolis to performing at the 2024 Kennedy Center Honors. With her long-awaited second album — which she calls her “real debut” — just around the corner, she’s embracing a sense of creative independence and reinvention.
We caught up with VanderWaal to talk about the making of “Babydoll,” having Aliyah’s Interlude as her first-ever feature, and a possible upcoming tour.
What was the inspiration behind “Babydoll”?
“Babydoll” is all about being in your diva era, and for me is my new pop anthem.
How did you translate the song into the video?
Originally we were supposed to shoot this in LA with a completely different treatment. After some development, it made sense to just get together with Aliyah in New York and shoot this with the intention of feeling a little bit more carefree.
What are you working on and excited to share with fans next?
My second album, which feels to me like my debut album, is just around the corner and I cannot wait to share everything that my team and I have been working on for the past year.
Any additional news or highlights you’d like to share with PAPER readers?
Stay tuned, much more to come. Maybe see everyone on tour later this year? Who knows?
Photography: Ally Chen