Today, everyone with a phone knows about viral videos and internet memes. But back in April 2010, things were a little different. That’s when a 12-year-old named Greyson Chance became an overnight sensation with his piano cover of Lady Gaga’s song “Paparazzi.” His incredible performance at his school’s music festival was uploaded to YouTube—and though it started slow, the video eventually took the internet by storm. Thirteen years later, it has over 72 million views!
Greyson grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma, and started playing the piano at just eight years old. With lessons, natural talent, and a great ear for music, he developed a strong, melodic voice. But what made his performance truly unforgettable was his passion—he poured his heart into the song, making it his own.
At first, the video didn’t get much attention. For two weeks, it only had a handful of views. But everything changed on May 10, 2010, when websites like GossipBoy.ca and Reddit posted about it. Soon, the video was featured on Ryan Seacrest’s website and BuzzFeed. By the end of the day, it was spreading like wildfire, appearing on even more sites and catching the attention of celebrities like Ryan Seacrest, Ashton Kutcher, and Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen actually found out about Greyson because his older brother, Tanner Chance, sent her the video.
The next day, May 11, things escalated even more—Yahoo announced that Greyson had been invited to appear on The Ellen Show! Suddenly, the mainstream media caught on. The Wall Street Journal, The LA Times, and other big news outlets started talking about this young musical prodigy.
When Greyson finally appeared on The Ellen Show, it was a huge moment. He performed Paparazzi again, but that wasn’t all—Lady Gaga herself called in during the interview to praise his talent! That same night, he was featured on ABC World News.
But Greyson’s rise to fame wasn’t over yet. He returned to The Ellen Show just a few weeks later, on May 26, 2010. This time, he performed an original song called Broken Hearts. Ellen had a surprise for him—he had won her $10,000 “Wonderful Web of Wonderment” contest! On top of that, she gifted him a brand-new Yamaha piano and announced that he would be the first artist signed to her brand-new record label.
Greyson’s rapid success even sparked some debate. The Christian Science Monitor questioned whether his viral video was real or just a clever marketing stunt. In an article titled “Greyson Chance: What is real in an age of media manipulation?” (published May 18, 2010), they investigated the situation. Their conclusion? The video was 100% real.
But Greyson’s story took an unexpected turn. In September 2022, over a decade after his big break, he spoke out in an interview with Rolling Stone. He revealed that his experience with Ellen DeGeneres wasn’t as positive as it seemed. He described her as “manipulative and opportunistic” and said that by the time his second album was released, she had completely abandoned him.
Before that interview, Greyson had already released his latest album, Palladium, on June 23, 2022. He later explained that the album was deeply personal, reflecting on his past and trying to find peace after everything he went through as a kid. In an emotional Instagram post, he wrote, “I feel a tremendous weight off my shoulders now that the truth is out. I’m going to bed tonight feeling so much love and support from you all. I am ready to move forward.”
What a journey, right? Greyson Chance’s story is full of ups and downs, but through it all, he has remained dedicated to his music. If you want to keep up with him, you can check out his YouTube channel or follow him on Facebook and Instagram. We wish him all the best on his musical journey!
