Karen Roberts

kroberts@lohud.com

Through early January, reporters will be looking back at and following up on stories and topics that were the most popular with our readers in 2016, according to metrics on lohud.com. This story is part of that series.

Grace VanderWaal has had a remarkable year by anyone's measure.

The pre-teen sensation has topped the Billboard charts with her first CD "Perfectly Imperfect," sung in front of a worldwide audience at Z100's Jingle Ball, and oh yeah, she received a cool $1 million for her "America's Got Talent" win.

Her original song, "I Don't Know My Name," sung during the AGT audition show, was just featured in Google's 2016 Year in Search video, which named her as one of the top trending music artists of 2016. And she's about to become a teenager in January.

Google's Year in Search

Back in June, she was a 12-year-old Suffern middle schooler, the youngest of three kids of Tina and Dave VanderWaal, hanging out with her older brother and sister, and writing original songs for her ukulele.

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Then her performance on the audition rounds of "America's Got Talent" went viral.

Today, her parents find themselves with a new normal: their daughter is a superstar with a worldwide fan base which has meant many changes for the family. Grace is no longer in school, instead being privately tutored since her win; there's extensive travel and media appearances for her career and yet the VanderWaals say, they work very hard to keep their family life the same as it was pre-AGT. At least, as much as possible.

In between concert dates and appearances, not to mention trying out some new material on Instagram, Grace and her parents found some time to catch up with The Journal News/lohud.com for an update on what's new.

Have things changed in the VanderWaal household?

Tina & Dave: Our rules are the same and we are trying to keep our life the same as it was before this happened. The lack of privacy has been the biggest change.

What’s a typical day like?

Tina & Dave: Grace has school in the morning and works in the afternoon. Olivia is home after school and we spend time together or take her to afterschool activities.

How do you handle bedtime?

Tina & Dave: Bedtime has gotten much easier since this has happened because we are all so much more tired.

Homework?

Tina & Dave: Grace and Olivia know what they need to do and they don’t really need lots of pushing.

Is there any sibling rivalry?

Tina & Dave: Dad and I play referee sometimes, but all three kids really get along great.

Grace's Dec. 2 EP "Perfectly Imperfect" debuted at number 9 on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts. She sang in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and performed on "The America's Got Talent Holiday Spectacular."

The VanderWaals say they received her winnings from AGT and plan to give Grace her special AGT request: a treehouse.

Have you started building the treehouse yet?

Tina & Dave: We will start the treehouse in the spring. We are looking for a local contractor now.

What are your plans over the holidays?

Tina & Dave: We are going on a much needed family vacation and spending time home just enjoying time with each other.

Her next tour has not been scheduled, but Grace has been busy, promoting "Perfectly Imperfect," trying out some new material (check out her Instagram of a potential new song) and meeting other performers including Cyndi Lauper and Stevie Nicks along with younger stars such as Sabrina Carpenter and The Chainsmokers.

She's also an Instagram and Twitter superstar, answering a fan's question about plans for her 13th birthday in January, this way: "Not sure yet. I think a small party at home with my friends and family."

If that sounds like a normal, grounded, almost teenager, so did her answers to these questions:

Do you have time to hang out with friends?

Grace: Not much, but I definitely do still spend the free time I do have with my friends.

Are you having fun?

Grace: Most of the time. I love what I am doing.

What do you hope to get for Christmas?

Grace: A record player from Urban Outfitters.

What’s the best thing that’s happened since the win?

Grace: I got my puppy Frankenstein! He's a pug.

Have you gotten any new ukuleles?

Grace: I have gotten many from fans. I have decided to make a wall of ukuleles in my treehouse with all of the fan ukes.

Twitter: @krhudsonvalley