A 12-year-old calmly sits at the piano during a routine school event, no one expects anything more than a sweet, simple performance, But the moment his fingers touch the keys, the entire room goes silent, What follows stuns teachers, classmates, and even his parents

Do you remember Greyson Chance? In 2010, a shy 12-year-old from Edmond, Oklahoma, sat down at a school piano recital and performed a stirring rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi.” No one expected what would come next. His performance, full of raw emotion and undeniable talent, was filmed and uploaded online—initially gathering only a trickle of views. But once it caught the attention of a few key platforms, the video exploded. In just days, Greyson transformed from a regular kid into an internet phenomenon, eventually amassing over 72 million views.

Greyson had been playing piano since the age of eight, and his passion radiated through every note. His interpretation of “Paparazzi” wasn’t just a cover—it was a reimagining that gave the song new life. Yet for the first few weeks, the video barely made a ripple. That changed dramatically on May 10, 2010, when Reddit and GossipBoy.ca gave it a signal boost. Soon after, major celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Ryan Seacrest began sharing it. But the biggest moment came when Ellen DeGeneres saw the video—sent to her by Greyson’s older brother—and decided to act.

Yahoo broke the news that Greyson would appear on The Ellen Show, and by then, every major outlet was covering his meteoric rise. When he finally sat down at Ellen’s piano to perform “Paparazzi” live, the world watched in awe. Then came a surprise phone call from Lady Gaga herself, praising Greyson’s powerful performance. It was a defining moment—one that seemed to launch a promising young star into the stratosphere.

But Greyson wasn’t done yet. He returned to Ellen’s show weeks later, performing his original song “Broken Hearts.” That same day, he won a $10,000 prize in Ellen’s “Wonderful Web of Wonderment” competition, received a brand-new Yamaha piano, and became the first artist signed to her new record label. His future looked blindingly bright.

However, as Greyson would later reveal, the story wasn’t as picture-perfect as it seemed. In 2022, over a decade after his viral breakthrough, Greyson sat down with Rolling Stone for an emotional interview that pulled back the curtain on his rise to fame. He spoke candidly about the pressures of early stardom and accused Ellen of being “opportunistic and manipulative,” claiming she had distanced herself from him once his debut album’s momentum faded. Despite pouring his soul into his follow-up album Palladium, he felt abandoned and isolated.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Greyson said the release of Palladium was like lifting a heavy weight off his chest. It was a record born from personal struggle and growth, offering a glimpse into his complex journey from viral fame to self-discovery.

Greyson’s story isn’t just about a viral video or a famous talk show moment. It’s about resilience, reclaiming your voice, and navigating the high cost of early fame. Through all the highs and lows, one thing has never changed—his love for music. Whether you remember him as the boy who stunned the world with “Paparazzi” or you’re just discovering him now, Greyson Chance’s journey is far from over. Keep an eye on his social media for the next chapter.