Grace VanderWaal cancels upcoming tour and shares mental health update

Grace VanderWaal steps back at 22

Fans who grew up watching Grace VanderWaal sing with her ukulele were surprised by a recent update. The 22-year-old singer shared that she is stepping back from touring for now to focus on her mental health and personal well-being.

Grace VanderWaal has always spoken openly with fans about life behind the spotlight. Her message reminded many people that even successful young stars sometimes need to slow down, take a breath, and focus on themselves before anything else in life.

Grace VanderWaal shares honest message

Grace VanderWaal reached out to fans with a heartfelt message posted on Instagram. The singer explained that she has been struggling for some time and felt it was important to step away from touring in order to focus on her mental health.

She also apologized to fans who were hoping to see her perform soon. Grace VanderWaal added that she loves her supporters deeply and looks forward to singing again once she feels stronger and ready to return to the stage.

Grace VanderWaal thanks loyal fans

Many people have followed Grace VanderWaal’s journey since her early television days. Over the years, fans have watched her grow from a shy child performer into a confident young artist who writes songs and speaks openly about the highs and lows of fame.

After her announcement, hundreds of fans and fellow supporters filled her comment section with encouraging words. The response reflected how strongly her openness resonated with people who admire her music and appreciated her honesty.

Grace VanderWaal had been set to join Natalie Jane

Before sharing her decision, Grace VanderWaal had been set to join Natalie Jane on the upcoming tour. After announcing that she needed to prioritize her mental health, she confirmed that she would no longer appear on those dates.

Touring can place heavy demands on performers through travel, rehearsals, and constant public visibility. For artists under personal strain, stepping back can be an important way to focus on recovery and stability.

Support from fellow performers

Soon after the news spread online, several well-known figures offered kind messages to Grace VanderWaal. Television host Carson Daly wrote that mental health matters just as much as physical health and praised her honesty about taking care of herself.

Singer Natalie Jane also shared supportive words and reminded people that health always comes first. Many fans said seeing artists encourage each other during difficult moments made the music community feel more caring and connected.

A heartbreaking family loss

Grace VanderWaal has faced a deeply emotional year outside her music career. In October 2025, she revealed that her mother, Tina VanderWaal, had passed away after fighting cancer for more than a year.

The young singer shared her grief through a heartfelt social media post. She wrote about waking up and wanting to call her mom, expressing how difficult it felt to imagine moving forward without her guidance and loving presence.

Remembering moments with her mom

During the holiday season, Grace VanderWaal shared photos from a previous Christmas spent with her mother. The pictures showed them enjoying bright holiday lights together while creating memories that now carry even deeper meaning for the singer.

In her caption, she wrote that the season felt lonely without hearing her mom’s voice. Fans responded with comforting messages, sending love and support as she continued processing such a painful and personal loss.

The girl with the ukulele

Millions first met Grace VanderWaal when she stepped onto the stage of America’s Got Talent in 2016. At only 12 years old, she surprised judges and viewers by performing original songs while playing a small ukulele.

Her soft voice and thoughtful lyrics quickly captured attention across the country. Many viewers felt they were watching the start of something special as the young performer shared music that felt genuine and heartfelt.

Little-known fact: Grace VanderWaal won Season 11 of America’s Got Talent in 2016 at age 12 after her golden-buzzer audition, which launched her into national fame.

Winning hearts on television

Grace VanderWaal went on to win America’s Got Talent during that unforgettable season. The victory turned the young musician into a national name almost overnight, bringing her talent to millions of viewers across the United States.

Winning the competition opened many new opportunities for the teenager. Record deals, interviews, and live performances soon followed, allowing her to begin building a career that extended far beyond the television stage.

Little-known fact: Her debut studio album Just the Beginning was released on November 3, 2017, and the record debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Her first album arrives

In 2017, Grace VanderWaal released her debut studio album titled Just the Beginning. The record introduced fans to more of her songwriting style and confirmed that she was serious about growing as a musician.

The album included emotional songs inspired by her own experiences and imagination. Many listeners admired how her youthful perspective blended with honest storytelling, helping her connect with both younger fans and older music lovers.

A new era with Childstar

Grace VanderWaal continued evolving as an artist with her 2025 album Childstar. The project explored the complicated experience of growing up in the public eye while trying to discover who she truly is.

Listeners noticed a more mature sound and deeper themes in the music. The album reflected her journey from child performer to young adult artist, showing how her creativity has continued developing over time.

Mental health in the spotlight

In recent years, more musicians have spoken openly about mental health challenges. Grace VanderWaal’s decision to pause touring adds to a growing movement where artists choose honesty over hiding personal struggles.

Fans often appreciate when performers share real feelings instead of pretending everything is perfect. Conversations like these remind people that fame does not remove stress, and everyone deserves space to care for their emotional well-being.

Want to know what kept Crystal Gayle away from the stage recently? Check out how the legendary singer opened up about the health struggles that paused her performances.

Looking ahead to brighter days

Although Grace VanderWaal has paused touring for now, she reassured fans that music remains a big part of her life. She said she hopes to return to singing and performing once she feels ready again.

Supporters around the world continue cheering her on during this time. Many believe that taking care of herself today will help Grace VanderWaal return stronger, with new experiences that may inspire the next chapter of her music.

Curious how another star is opening up about mental health too? Check out how Gwyneth Paltrow gets candid about her ongoing mental health challenges.

Grace VanderWaal’s honest update has sparked a lot of conversation. What are your thoughts on her decision to pause touring and focus on mental health? Share your opinion in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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