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America's Got Talent winner Michael Grimm interview, new lease on life

By April MacIntyre Sep 19, 2010, 23:47 GMT

The Mississippi native was as shocked as anyone when they announced his name as winner, and he was truly humbled by the whole experience. This was his second attempt at the show, being dismissed last year. Courtesy of NBC

NBC's America's Got Talent Season 5, Michael Grimm spoke to Monsters and Critics the day after his win.

The Mississippi native was as shocked as anyone when they announced his name as winner, and he was truly humbled by the whole experience.  This was his second attempt at the show, being dismissed last year.

His win shows anyone out there that if you have the perseverance, skill and a bit of luck, good things can happen.

Grimm spoke of his hardship and family early on in the competition, as his grandparents stepped in, raising Grimm and his sister, saving them from foster care.

Monsters and Critics:  Regarding the very first interview that they showed of you introducing you to the audience for America's Got Talent. And it was very emotional. You were telling the story of your sister and you, and the circumstances...I was wondering if you could talk a bit about your sister and your family. What it means for all of your loved ones.

Michael Grimm: Well it's, you know, it's hard to talk about with some of that. I'm not sure how to respond on the current situation right now in my family -- with my sister at least.  I'm sure my sister is ecstatic about it. She's probably rejoicing over it all -- if she has heard about this so far. Because my sister is - she's not around the family, let's just say, right now.

She is - (chokes up) she's just not, you know, around right now. Let's just - I'll leave it at that.

M&C: Right.

Michael Grimm: You know, I would love to see her and know what she's thinking. But I can't talk to her right now. But my grandparents and everyone that I do get to talk to, they're just enjoying this moment. And that excites me so much because they need that right now.

M&C:   Whereabouts in Mississippi are you going to build that house for your grandparents and for your family too, your new family home?

Michael Grimm: Well my grandmother wants to move back to her hometown in Waveland. She's currently in another part of Mississippi, North of where she's from, and want to get back into her hometown, buy a piece of property, build a house from the ground up, you know, with her right there helping on the blueprints.  And build it especially...for her and my grandpa, who ... they both have physical issues, and I could build a house around that, you know?

M&C: So many great American musicians have come out of Mississippi; I was wondering who your favorite son or daughter of Mississippi was, musically?

Michael Grimm: Well, that's a good question. You know I mean, we all love Elvis, of course.

I love Faith Hill. Faith Hill comes from Star, Mississippi and we're very proud of her down there. You're right, there's a lot of great singers and musicians that come out of Mississippi; Muddy Waters, he's another favorite of mine.

Yeah, we can sit there and talk all day about all the great singers. Because you're right, there's a lot of them!