‘America’s Got Talent’ winner Grace VanderWaal named among Billboard’s 21 under 21

Before even releasing her debut album, “America’s Got Talent” season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal has already been named as one of the promising young artists of the year, according to Billboard.

The 12-year-old singer-songwriter from Suffern, New York joined the ranks of Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendez, 5 Seconds of Summer and others who form Billboard’s 2016 list of 21 promising musicians aged 21 and below.

Billboard was impressed with VanderWaal’s musical talents. The Ukulele-playing musician performed a series of original songs that won for her the US$1 million (AU$1.3 million) prize on NBC’s top-rated talent search in September. (Read: ‘America’s Got Talent’ winner Grace VanderWaal goes viral on YouTube with her original songs)

Named as the youngest artist in the Billboard list, VanderWaal was also the youngest winner in “America’s Got Talent.” Touted as the next Taylor Swift, she has already signed a record deal with Simon Cowell’s Sysco Music, which operates under Sony’s Columbia Records.

Grace VanderWaal album

Earlier, Charlie Puth invited VanderWaal to collaborate and write a song together. While VanderWaal welcomed the invitation from the “See You Again” singer, there is no confirmation yet as to the collaboration.

An up-and-coming celebrity on her own, VanderWaal has already appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.”

A parade welcomed VanderWaal and her family in their hometown in Suffern on Oct. 1. She was awarded the "Key to Rockland County" by County Exec. Ed Day in a ceremony.

VanderWaal is set to return to Las Vegas to perform at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on Oct. 27 to 29.