Alongside a room full of music icons, 14-year-old Walter Russell III won his first Grammy Award. In an interview with TODAY.com, the talented opera singer said that winning the coveted award was “surreal.”
Congrats Best Best Opera Recording winner – 'Blanchard: Fire Shut Up In My Bones' @nezetseguin, conductor; Angel Blue, Will Liverman, Latonia Moore (@LaMoooore) & Walter Russell III; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus) #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/l7zAVf1GwX
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 5, 2023
Russell told TODAY.com that his win, “…feels so amazing, I’m so honored to just have this opportunity. The fact that I did it at such a young age is just so surreal to me.”
The young opera singer also told the news website outlet that,”Winning a Grammy is such a huge thing on my bucket list and the fact that I got to check it off this early was just honor.”
Russell’s principal soloist performance in the opera “Blanchard: Fire Shut Up In My Bones,” was what earned the young phenom his golden statue at the 65th annual Grammy Awards. His song, “Fire Shut Up In My Bones,” won best opera recording.
In his acceptance speech, Russell III, thanked his family and his mom, acknowledging “All the sacrifices [that she] made for [him].” Russell III continued saying, “I can’t thank you enough.”
The 14-year-old joins a growing list of those under 18 who have won Grammy Awards themselves. LeAnn Rimes won two Grammy awards at the age of 14, including one for best new artist. In 2002, eight-year-old Leah Peasall won a Grammy Award after being featured on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. Peasall still holds the record for being the youngest-ever Grammy Award winner. And of course, we cannot leave Blue Ivy Carter off of that list. At the age of nine, in 2021, Blue Ivy became the second-youngest to win a Grammy Award.
This New York native was born and raised in Harlem, starting his career on the Broadway stage as Young Simba in the national tour of “The Lion King.” Additionally, the young talented performer portrayed a young Michael Jackson on the stage in “MJ: The Musical,” now starring in the current production as Michael’s older brother, Marlon Jackson.
Congratulations, Walter on your amazing win! We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. We have no doubt that it is going to be amazing.
Photo Credit(s)/Featured Image: Recording Academy/GRAMMYs Twitter; Walter Russell III Instagram; Today.com
