Ariana Grande

Latest News: Ariana Grande Stars in Wicked

Ariana Grande is set to take on the iconic role of Glinda in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked. The film, which is based on the hit Broadway musical, will give fans a chance to see Grande showcase both her acting and vocal talents in one of her most exciting roles to date.

Who Is Ariana Grande?

Ariana Grande’s career began at an early age, starting with stage performances as a child. Her breakthrough came at 15 when she landed a role in a Broadway production, which led to further opportunities on television. Grande’s first significant TV role was playing Cat Valentine on Victorious, followed by the spinoff series Sam & Cat. These experiences served as a launchpad for her chart-topping music career, which includes five successful albums: Yours Truly (2013), My Everything (2014), Dangerous Woman (2016), Sweetener (2018), and Thank U, Next (2019).

Ariana Grande’s Early Life

Ariana Grande-Butera was born on June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida. Her father, Ed Butera, is a graphic designer, and her mother, Joan Grande, is a successful businesswoman. She has an older half-brother, Frankie, who is also a performer. Grande developed a passion for singing and acting at a young age, performing in local theater productions and singing aboard cruise ships.

At just 8 years old, she landed her first significant role as the title character in the musical Annie at the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater. Around this time, her parents divorced, but Grande continued to focus on her burgeoning career.

In 2008, at age 15, Grande’s talent shone when she was cast as Charlotte in the Broadway musical 13, which revolved around the experience of growing up in New York City. This role earned her a National Youth Theatre Association Award and opened doors for her in the entertainment industry. She also appeared in the musical Cuba Libre and had a minor role in the YouTube series The Battery’s Down. Grande attended North Broward Preparatory School, from which she graduated in 2012, balancing her education with her rising career.

Ariana Grande’s journey from Broadway to television and eventually to superstardom as a pop sensation is a testament to her dedication, versatility, and undeniable talent. Now, her role in Wicked promises to be another milestone in her already impressive career.

Big Break in Victorious

Ariana Grande’s big break came in 2010 when she joined the cast of Nickelodeon’s Victorious, a series set in a fictional performing arts high school in Los Angeles. Grande portrayed Cat Valentine, a quirky and bubbly redhead, known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing. To maintain the character’s vibrant hair color, Grande had to dye her hair red weekly, which eventually caused damage. The show ran for four seasons before its sudden conclusion in 2013. While Victorious established Grande as a teen idol, her true passion lay in music rather than acting. In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, she admitted, “I hate acting. It’s fun, but music has always been first and foremost with me.”

Transition to Music

Eager to launch her music career, Grande contributed to the Victorious soundtrack and began uploading cover songs on YouTube. These caught the attention of Republic Records president Monte Lipman, who signed her in 2011. Her debut single, “Put Your Hearts Up,” was released in December 2011, but Grande later expressed her dissatisfaction with the bubblegum pop track, calling it “inauthentic and fake.” This led her to refine her sound, working with a team of songwriters to develop music that resonated with her personal style.

In August 2013, Grande embarked on her first concert tour, The Listening Sessions, and shortly after released her debut album Yours Truly. The album, featuring influences from pop icons like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, received critical acclaim and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, “The Way,” featuring rapper Mac Miller, became a hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rising Stardom

Grande’s stardom continued to rise in 2014 with the release of her second album, My Everything. The album debuted at No. 1, spawning chart-topping singles like “Problem” with Iggy Azalea, “Break Free” with Zedd, and “Love Me Harder” with The Weeknd. The success of My Everything earned her first Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2015. Grande followed up the album with The Honeymoon Tour, which ran through much of 2015.

Her third studio album, Dangerous Woman, released in May 2016, solidified her place as a pop powerhouse. The album, which debuted at No. 2, produced hits like “Into You,” “Side to Side,” and the title track “Dangerous Woman.” The record received two Grammy nominations and launched her Dangerous Woman tour.

Tragedy and Triumph

In May 2017, tragedy struck when a suicide bomber targeted Grande’s concert in Manchester, England, killing 22 people. Grande responded with grace and resilience, organizing a benefit concert just two weeks later, featuring stars like Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Katy Perry. Her emotional return to the stage marked her dedication to her fans, as she continued her tour and later opened up about dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder from the event.

In 2018, Grande released her fourth album, Sweetener, which earned her critical acclaim and her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Hits like “No Tears Left to Cry” and “God Is a Woman” further showcased her artistic evolution. A year later, she became the youngest performer to headline Coachella.

Continued Success

Grande’s music career has continued to flourish. In 2024, she is set to release her highly anticipated album Eternal Sunshine and is rumored to embark on a mini tour. With two Grammy Awards and 15 nominations to her name, Ariana Grande has cemented her status as one of the most influential pop stars of her generation.

Hit Songs

Since her breakout single “The Way” in 2013, Ariana Grande has consistently delivered chart-topping hits. The pop sensation boasts an impressive 86 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including nine No. 1 singles and 22 Top 10 hits. “Thank U, Next” held the top spot for seven weeks in 2018, followed by the Grammy-nominated “7 Rings,” which stayed at No. 1 for eight consecutive weeks in 2019. In 2020, she added three more No. 1 hits to her catalog, including her solo single “Positions,” as well as her collaborations on Lady Gaga’s Grammy-winning “Rain On Me” and Justin Bieber’s “Stuck With U.” In 2021, her feature on The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears” reached No. 1, and their follow-up collaboration “Die For You” did the same two years later.

Albums

Yours Truly
My Everything
Dangerous Woman
Sweetener
Thank U, Next
Positions
Eternal Sunshine

Grande’s debut album, Yours Truly, featured her first hit, “The Way,” alongside tracks like “Baby I” and “Right There.” Produced by the legendary Babyface, the album showcased Grande’s soulful sound and Mariah Carey-inspired vocals. Her 2014 release, My Everything, debuted at No. 1, selling 169,000 copies in its first week. It spawned chart-toppers like “Problem,” “Break Free,” and “Love Me Harder,” the latter featuring The Weeknd. Collaborating with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj on “Bang Bang,” Grande saw even more success as the track peaked at No. 3.

Grande’s third studio album, Dangerous Woman, debuted at No. 2 in 2016 and made her the first artist to have lead singles from her first three albums debut in the Top 10. She continued her winning streak with Sweetener in 2018, which earned her a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. The album’s hits like “No Tears Left to Cry” and “God Is a Woman” cemented her status as a pop powerhouse.

In 2019, Grande’s Thank U, Next received widespread acclaim. The title track and “7 Rings” dominated the charts, and the album debuted at No. 1. She followed up in 2020 with Positions, marking her third album in two years, praised for its blend of pop and R&B.

Movies and TV

Ariana Grande first gained fame as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon series Victorious. After the show ended in 2012, she reprised her role in the spin-off Sam & Cat, though it was short-lived. Grande has since made guest appearances on shows like Scream Queens and even had a cameo in Zoolander 2. In 2016, she showcased her musical talents on NBC’s Hairspray Live!, playing Penny Pingleton.

Grande has also become a popular Saturday Night Live host, known for her comedic impersonations of music icons like Britney Spears, Shakira, and Celine Dion. In February 2020, she guest-starred in Kidding, starring Jim Carrey.

Relationships and Personal Life

Grande’s personal life has also been a subject of public interest. She dated rapper Mac Miller from 2016 to 2018, and their breakup was followed by Miller’s tragic passing later that year. Grande’s engagement to comedian Pete Davidson in 2018 garnered significant attention, though they called it off later that year. She briefly dated Mikey Foster before entering a relationship with real estate agent Dalton Gomez, whom she married in May 2021. The couple divorced in March 2024.

Net Worth

As of October 2024, Ariana Grande’s estimated net worth is $230 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. In addition to her music and acting careers, she has built a successful business empire with her signature fragrances and her makeup line, R.E.M. Beauty. Grande’s wealth has enabled her to support numerous charitable causes, including Kids Who Care, an organization she co-founded. Her significant social media presence has twice earned her a spot on Time magazine’s list of “The 100 Most Influential People” in 2016 and 2019.