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Daya, Local Girl Turned Pop Star, Dancing Up The Charts

MT. LEBANON (KDKA) -- Pop singer Daya is dancing up the charts.

Her first song "Hideaway" hit number 23 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. "Don't Let Me Down" is number four on Billboard's Top 100 chart, featuring Daya, with the band "The Chainsmokers."

"We were pulling out for graduation and it played twice before we even left the driveway, which is crazy," the singer said.

That's what happens when a rock star returns home for her own high school graduation and prom -- she goes from Daya, back to Grace Tandon-- friend, daughter, sister.

In fact, one of five sisters in the Tandon family is the inspiration for many of her songs about girl power.

WEB EXTRA: Daya Answers Fan Questions:

KDKA's Kristine Sorensen had her daughter, and her daughter's third grade friends, ask the pop sensation some of their questions.

Alida: I wanted to know how does it feel to come to high school when you were in LA?

Daya: It's s weird. It's so different. I feel like so much has changed in a year. I mean I still love my friends and it's still good to see everyone again and sometimes it feels like nothing has changed and then sometimes there's some differences.

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Grace grew up much like these girls, playing soccer and spending time with her family. But unlike most, she started playing piano at the age of three and singing in a band as a child.

Lauren and Abby: We wanted to know where you first performed.

Daya: When I first performed, I was like nine, through uptown in Mt. Lebanon, Empire Music, so I always hung out there, took guitar lessons there for a while.

That's where she tried "Rock U University" - becoming part of a kid band.

"So I was paired up with a guitarist and a drummer and we rehearsed like three songs and performed at Molly Branigans," she said. "That was my first performance ever.

Annie: I wanted to know of all the songs you wrote, which one is your favorite?

Daya: My favorite of all songs the songs I've written that's out is "Back To Me" because I love performing that live.

After the questions, Grace took the KDKA cameras back to where it all started -- A a piano bench in her own home in Mount Lebanon... Playing, writing, singing and growing into the pop star she's become.

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