The internet is a strange, messy place, but some corners of it are genuinely unsettling. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok or scrolled through deep-dive YouTube essays, you’ve likely stumbled upon the name Daniel Larson. Usually, in the same breath, you’ll hear him mention Grace VanderWaal.
It’s one of those digital-age sagas that feels like a slow-motion train wreck.
To be clear right from the jump: there is no "relationship" here. Not a real one, anyway. Grace VanderWaal is a multi-talented singer-songwriter who captured the world’s heart on America’s Got Talent when she was just twelve. Daniel Larson is a former TikTok creator whose life has been defined by severe mental health struggles, homelessness, and a series of legal escalations that recently landed him in federal custody.
But for years, Larson has insisted they are dating, engaged, or even married. It’s a textbook case of erotomania, a delusional belief that a stranger—usually a celebrity—is in love with you.
The Delusion vs. The Reality
Honestly, the "connection" between Daniel Larson and Grace VanderWaal exists entirely within Larson’s mind and the screens of his followers. He has spent years posting videos "communicating" with Grace, claiming she’s sending him secret messages through her music or social media posts.
He isn't. She isn't.
Larson’s fixations aren't just harmless internet weirdness. They’ve led him to travel across the country, often under the impression that he was going to meet her or that her "management" (often trolls pretending to be her team) was directing his movements.
It’s a grim cycle.
Trolls on Discord and TikTok frequently "larp" as Grace VanderWaal or her agents. They send Larson fake contracts, tell him she’s waiting for him at a specific Olive Garden, or convince him they’re in danger. Larson, unable to distinguish reality from these digital fabrications, reacts with outbursts that have been documented—and exploited—by millions of viewers.
Why this escalated into federal charges
For a long time, the Larson-VanderWaal saga was treated as a "lolcow" phenomenon. People watched because it was chaotic. But things took a dark turn in 2024.
Larson didn't just stay in his lane of delusional TikToks. He began making violent threats. According to federal court documents (Case No. 1:24-cr-00130-RMR), Larson was indicted on seven federal counts, including the use or threatened use of explosives and interstate communication of threats.
The specifics are heavy.
Between July and December 2023, Larson allegedly made threats to blow up government buildings in Colorado, the FBI headquarters, and even the White House. He was arrested in May 2024. Since then, his legal journey has been a maze of competency hearings. A judge eventually ordered him to remain in custody, noting that his behavior was escalating and that he posed a risk to the community.
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The impact on Grace VanderWaal
You have to feel for Grace VanderWaal. Imagine being a young artist trying to navigate the music industry while a chronically online, unstable individual claims you're his wife to millions of people.
Grace has mostly taken the high road: silence.
She has never publicly engaged with Larson, which is exactly what security experts and psychologists recommend in stalking cases. Any acknowledgment, even a "stop it," can be interpreted by a delusional mind as a form of intimacy. However, her fans have been vocal. On platforms like Reddit, the AGT community has documented how Larson’s followers would flood Grace’s comment sections, making her social media almost unusable at times.
It’s a stark reminder of the "ugly side of fame." While Grace is busy releasing experimental pop and acting in films like Stargirl, she’s had to live with this digital shadow following her every move.
What we can learn from this mess
The Daniel Larson and Grace VanderWaal situation isn't just a "weird internet story." It’s a case study in how the internet handles mental health, celebrity culture, and harassment.
- Parasocial relationships are a two-way street. We often talk about fans feeling like they know celebrities, but when mental illness is involved, that feeling can turn into a dangerous obsession.
- Trolling has real-world consequences. The people who pretended to be Grace’s "management" didn't just "prank" a guy; they fueled a fire that ended with federal bomb threats and a man in a cell.
- Digital literacy matters. Recognizing the difference between a "lolcow" and a person in a psychiatric crisis is the difference between entertainment and exploitation.
What happens now?
As of early 2026, Daniel Larson remains caught in the federal legal system. His competency is the primary focus. If he’s found incompetent to stand trial, he’ll likely spend a significant amount of time in a psychiatric facility for "restoration." If he is found competent, he faces years in federal prison.
For Grace VanderWaal, the "Larson era" is hopefully a closed chapter. She continues to evolve as an artist, distancing herself from the "ukulele girl" image and the unwanted baggage of internet stalkers.
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Next Steps for Readers:
If you encounter content involving "lolcows" or creators in obvious mental distress, the best move is to disengage. Reporting the content for harassment or "self-harm/danger" helps platforms move these individuals toward help rather than more views. Furthermore, supporting artists like Grace VanderWaal by focusing on their work rather than the drama surrounding them is the only way to shift the narrative back to where it belongs: the music.