A performer since birth, Ariana Grande has always had a serious passion for singing.
And at just 24 years old, the Billboard chart-topping, Grammy-nominated artist has already solidified
her place in music history.
From Nickelodeon, to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, we're looking back at just how
Grande transformed from tiny baby, to megawatt super star.
"Should I just do it?
Should I just jump right in?
Alright."
Baby steps
Grande was born in Boca Raton, Florida on June 26, 1993 — and did what any little
sister might do: she copied her brother.
Grande told The Telegraph,
"I adored and worshipped my brother, Frankie [...] everything he did was cool…
He's 10 years older than me…
Once Frankie got into acting in musical theatre and dancing, I was like, OK, I guess that's
the cool thing now."
The sibs can still be found palling around, and jet-setting around the globe.
The acting bug bites
Following in her brother's footsteps, Grande joined her local community theater and at
the age of 8 won the lead in Annie.
Grande's mom wanted to be there with her daughter at rehearsals, but parents were only allowed
to be in the room if they were in the show.
Grande told The Telegraph her mom auditioned for a part, saying,
"My mom is a CEO, she has her own companies, her own full schedule […] She was Daddy
Warbucks' maid […] She was like, 'I have no idea what I'm doing right now […] but
anything for my daughter.'"
"To be able to participate in the show, as Ariana's mother, the time that I've spent
with her… you can never imagine how wonderful it's been."
Grande later went on to land a role in Nickelodeon's Victorious in 2010.
"One time when I seven I was at the beach, and I made a sand castle and I called it Cat's
castle.
True story."
And from that, she spun-off her character, Cat Valentine, on Sam & Cat.
But in 2014 when the show wrapped, Grande was ready for something new.
"Yeah, I definitely started on Nickelodeon being very, very silly."
At the time, the 21-year-old posted to Facebook,
"I want to thank (series creator) Dan Schneider for allowing me to play such a special, beautiful
character...I will always hold Cat near and dear to my heart and appreciate her help in
my personal growth from teenager to adult."
Passion for fashion
Grande is known not only for her pipes, but for her style as well.
And her signature look is inspired by two very important people in her life…sort of.
She told Byrdie,
"I remember being like, 'I wanna look like a mix of my mom and Scary Spice.'
I remember saying those words when I was a little girl — that was the goal, when I
was, like, 4."
While most fans are familiar with Scary Spice, Grande described her mom's style, saying,
"My mom is fly […] My whole life, she's always worn custom-made, black, tailored outfits...And
she adds a pop of color on her lip.
She has this blue lipstick I was really stoked on."
Trying to be herself
One common critique of Grande's music is that her content can be appear mature beyond her
age.
The pop star defended herself, telling Cosmo in 2017,
"I've taken baby steps in expressing my sexuality in my imagery [...] I don't think that makes
me any less of a role model.
I think that it makes me honest!"
She also addressed the stereotype and its negative effects, telling the mag,
"I'm a good person—and I have a cute booty [...] I feel bad for girls who go to school
with a short skirt and are told that they're asking for it just because they like [to show]
their legs."
Shoutout to her fans
As Grande slays stage after stage, she continues to discover more about herself and to honor
her true passions.
"It took me a while to come into my own.
To be unafraid to be myself."
And this is advice she wants her fans to follow too.
The singer told Byrdie,
"Being yourself is one of the coolest things that you can do.
As hard as it may be to get there, once you find that comfort, run with it."
And not only does she talk the talk, she walks the walk, saying,
"S---, you don't like my ponytail?
I'm gonna have it two times bigger tomorrow, and higher, tighter, more hair in there too!
[…]S---, I'll crimp it!
You ain't seen a crimp like this in 20 years!"
But for Grande, it always comes back to her fans, who she truly hopes to inspire through
her music, and her life.
She said,
"My fans, I just really want them to feel empowered by who they are, and to not be afraid
of it…
Embrace it — then run with it."
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