Remember Greyson Chance? This 12-year-old Edmond, Oklahoma, child became an internet sensation in 2010 after he arranged Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” on the piano. The video received very few views when it was first uploaded in April, but it soon became well-known. For his thrilling performance, Greyson immediately attracted millions of spectators and over 72 million views!
Every note was felt by Greyson, who had been playing the piano since he was eight years old. His genuine passion and unique approach made for an amazing performance. But over the first few weeks, the video barely made an impression. That was prior to May 10, 2010, when well-known websites like Reddit and GossipBoy.ca joined the craze. By the end of the day, it was all over. Celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Ryan Seacrest were discussing him, and Ellen DeGeneres jumped in after getting the link from Greyson’s older brother.
The following day, Yahoo announced that Greyson would be appearing on The Ellen Show. The world watched as Greyson’s star began to soar, and major magazines like The Wall Street Journal highlighted his rapid ascension. On his Ellen debut, Greyson not only sang a perfect version of “Paparazzi,” but he also got a surprise call from Lady Gaga herself, who complimented his performance. It was a moment that solidified his reputation.
But it didn’t stop there. A few weeks later, Greyson returned to Ellen, where he performed his own song, “Broken Hearts,” and took home a $10,000 prize from her “Wonderful Web of Wonderment” contest. Ellen handed him a brand-new Yamaha piano, signed him to her own record label, and gave him money.
But was all of this too good to be true? The Christian Science Monitor investigated whether Greyson’s viral moment was staged after several skeptics questioned whether it was genuine. To give away too much, it wasn’t.
In 2022, Greyson’s story took an unexpected turn. In an emotional interview with Rolling Stone, he disclosed the less pleasant sides of his rise to prominence. According to Greyson, Ellen was “opportunistic and manipulative,” and he disclosed that the media mogul had abandoned him once his debut album became successful. His second album, Palladium, which is a deeply personal look back at his turbulent life, is the result of his full effort. He talked about how the album’s release felt like a weight being lifted and how he was now ready to face the future in an open Instagram post.
Greyson’s love of music has endured despite his journey’s ups and downs. Whatever your opinion, his story is one of tenacity, growth, and the never-ending pursuit of authenticity. To keep up with Greyson’s most recent news, follow him on social media.
