Ariana Grande has had a varied career. She’s gone from a kids television star to pop royalty to an experimental artist who creates from deep within. Over the last decade or so, Grande has proven herself in many ways, leaving her with a storied journey to where she is now. Chart a course with us through that journey, below.
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Chart a Course Through Ariana Grande’s Ever-Evolving Career
Broadway Baby
Grande got her start on the stage. Before her powerhouse vocals were dominating the airwaves, they were used to move an audience as part of 13, a musical about adolescence and the struggles therein. Her star turn on stage was enough to launch her into the next phase of her career: becoming a television mainstay.
Nickelodeon
Grande became a familiar face on Nickelodeon, starring in several projects throughout her youth including Victorious and Sam & Cat. The red-haired comedic relief was beloved by a generation of children and certainly put her name on the map.
Even while starring on these shows, Grande dipped her toe into the music scene. She released an early single, “Put Your Hearts Up” in the midst of her career as a teen actor. Though it would be a far cry from what her pop career would eventually consist of, it proved she had the vocal chops to hold her own on a song.
Pop Princess
Grande stepped fully into the pop world with the release of “The Way.” This R&B influenced track saw her begin to shed her Nickelodeon roots and become an artist in her own right. Her subsequent album, Yours Truly, sealed the deal.
The following album, My Everything, was similar in tone and garnered Grande even more of a reputation in the pop scene.
Dangerous Woman
Her third studio album, Dangerous Woman, saw her artistry shift–both in sound and sentiment. Grande dared to be a little more sultry, singing about her step into womanhood and the romantic entanglements that followed suit. It is certainly an album she wouldn’t have been able to put out while deep in her Nickelodeon era. It was well worth the wait to see Grande become an unabashed and empowered artist.
One Love Manchester
Grande’s career changed forever after the events of May 22, 2017. At a concert promoting Dangerous Woman, Grande lost several fans due to a terrorist attack on the venue in Manchester, England. It was a wake-up call for Grande, who decided to perform a second concert in England to benefit the victims of the attack. Grande exhibited a sense of bravery and empathy for not only the victims, but for her fanbase as a whole. It was inspiring to see Grande step back into the spotlight so soon after this heartbreaking tragedy.
sweetener/thank u, next
Sweetener and thank u, next were created in the wake of the Manchester bombing. Because of that, the subject matter on both of these albums proved to be a little weightier than what she had delivered in the past. While there were lighter moments, there were also tracks riddled with sadness, guilt, and a struggle to overcome demons. It set Grande apart from her peers in many ways.
Beauty Mogul/Voice Coach
Following the release of her 2020 album Positions, Grande began to take a step back from music and toward other ventures–mainly her r.e.m. beauty and taking on the role of being a coach on The Voice. This span of Grande’s career saw her step out of her blinding spotlight a bit. While she was certainly still in the public consciousness, it wasn’t quite at the level we were used to. As it turns out, that time away from her usual schedule was in preparation for two large scale projects: Wicked and Eternal Sunshine.
Eternal Sunshine
Grande’s latest album, Eternal Sunshine, is perhaps her most creatively robust. While the same hit-making sensibilities are present on this record, Grande seems to care less about getting pervasive play on the radio and more about telling her story in an authentic way. She opens up about the end of her marriage, the beginning of new relationships, and her hardships and successes with both. It’s a powerful album born out of Grande’s new creative mindset.
Movie Star
Though Grande is no stranger to acting, she recently landed her biggest role to date: Glinda in the feature film version of Wicked. Grande has, in many ways, gone back to her roots for this role. Her Broadway-level vocals came back into play, as did her love of the source material. Grande has long expressed her love of the stage musical and has–if her interviews about the project are any evidence–put her heart and soul into her adaptation of this famed role.
(Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
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