Grace VanderWaal hosted her Billboard Live At-Home concert on Thursday afternoon (April 16), raising money for My Friend’s Place, which assists and inspires homeless youth to build self-sufficient lives.
Ukulele in hand, plants in the background and her dog Frankie snoozing on the bed, the 16-year-old set up an atmosphere to bring viewers zen amid an anxiety-inducing coronavirus crisis. “I’ve been in a super peaceful mood today, really mellow,” she explained. “I’m sorry for people who don’t really want the mellowness–this probably isn’t the live for you, because this is going to be a very mellow, calming live.”
“It’s the vibes, you know? I have candles burning, my dog is sleeping, so I’m just in that mood.”
The songstress went on to perform stripped-back renditions of “Ur So Beautiful,” “I Don’t Like You” and her Stargirl track, “Today and Tomorrow.”
She ended her 20-minute performance by serenading viewers with “Moon River,” originally written by Henry Mancini and made popular by Audrey Hepburn in VanderWaal’s “favorite movie,” Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
“Something about ‘Moon River’ is just so peaceful and relaxing, no matter how you sing,” she explained. “You could be the worst singer in the world, and it just reminds you of peace and staying steady pace and living in the now and being able to look around and appreciate what you have.”
Watch the full performance below, and donate to My Friend’s Place here.
