ARIANA GRANDE
PUTTING THE POP IN POPULAR
Ariana Grande’s rise to stardom has been a remarkable journey, beginning from her early days as a young performer leading up to her highly anticipated role Glinda in Wicked, her fans are eager to see her return to her theatrical roots. With her background in musical theatre and her undeniable talent, Ariana is poised to bring the perfect blend of charm and vocal prowess to the role of the “Good Witch,” adding another milestone to her already illustrious career.
Where it all began
Born on June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida, Ariana Grande is of Italian descent and has an older half-brother, Frankie, who is also involved in the entertainment industry. Ariana’s talent for performing was evident from a young age. At just eight years old, she was captivating audiences on cruise ships, showcasing her impressive vocals during evening karaoke nights. Her early exposure to music and performance set the stage for her future in the spotlight.
Ariana spent much of her youth immersed in musical theatre, honing her skills and developing her love for the genre. She played the role of Annie at the Children’s Fort Lauderdale Theatre, and her involvement in productions such as The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast further solidified her passion for the stage. She also performed with the South Florida’s Philharmonic, Florida Sunshine Pops, and Symphonic Orchestras, gaining valuable experience in live performance.
At the age of 15, Ariana moved to Los Angeles, where she landed a role in the Broadway musical 13. This marked a significant turning point in her career, as it opened doors to new opportunities in the entertainment industry. Ariana’s talent and charisma caught the attention of Nickelodeon, leading to her casting in the popular television show Victorious. Alongside her co-star Elizabeth Gillies, who had also appeared in 13, Ariana played the character of Cat Valentine, a role that would become iconic for her fans.
The success of Victorious led to the spin-off sitcom Sam & Cat, in which Ariana continued to portray the ditsy and lovable Cat Valentine. The show further cemented her status as a rising star and introduced her to a broader audience.
From Television Star to Pop Sensation
Ariana’s transition from television star to global pop sensation was swift and successful. Her debut album, Yours Truly, released in 2013, showcased her powerful voice and drew comparisons to Mariah Carey. From there, she continued to release chart-topping albums and singles, amassing numerous awards and breaking records along the way.
During her time filming Sam & Cat, Ariana was eager to showcase her vocal talents to the world. She began recording herself singing covers of songs by iconic artists like Adele, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. These videos highlighted her incredible vocal range and skill, as she effortlessly tackled some of the most challenging songs from these legendary artists. Reflecting on her passion, Ariana said, “Acting is fun, but music has always been first and foremost with me.”
Her efforts paid off
As fate would have it, her efforts paid off when a friend of the CEO at Republic Records came across her videos and forwarded them to the company. Impressed by her talent, Republic Records quickly signed her in 2011. This was the beginning of a new chapter in Ariana’s career, as she transitioned from a beloved television star to a pop sensation.
Yours Truly, was a commercial success
Ariana’s love for R&B music played a significant role in shaping her sound. As a self-confessed huge fan of the genre, she collaborated with the legendary producer Babyface to create her debut album, Yours Truly, which was released in 2013. The album was a commercial success and introduced the world to Ariana’s distinct blend of pop and R&B.
Over the next decade, Ariana released six more albums, each showcasing her growth as an artist and solidifying her status as one of the most influential voices in contemporary music. With a string of chart-topping hits, numerous awards, and countless records broken, Ariana Grande’s journey from a young girl singing on cruise ships to a global superstar is a testament to her talent, determination, and love for music.
On the road
In February 2015, Ariana embarked on her first worldwide concert tour, The Honeymoon Tour, to further promote her second studio album, My Everything. The tour was a major success, with shows across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America, cementing her status as a global pop sensation.
Shortly after the tour she continued to explore her love for musical theatre by returning to her roots in 2016 when she played the role of Penny Pingleton in the televised musical Hairspray Live! Her performance was widely praised and demonstrated her versatility as both a singer and an actress. The following year, she lent her voice to Disney’s animated version of Beauty and The Beast, recording the title track alongside John Legend. This collaboration highlighted her ability to bridge the gap between pop music and classic film soundtracks.
However, 2017 was also a year marked by tragedy.
During her Dangerous Woman tour, Ariana’s concert at the Manchester Arena was targeted by a suicide bomb attack, resulting in the loss of 22 lives and leaving many more injured. In the wake of the tragedy, Ariana suspended her tour but quickly took action to support the victims and their families. She organised and performed at the One Love Manchester benefit concert, which was broadcast live on television and raised millions of dollars for those affected by the attack. Her response to the tragedy and her efforts to bring comfort and support to the Manchester community earned her widespread admiration, and she was later named an honorary citizen of Manchester.
Since her breakthrough in the music industry Ariana has dominated the music charts, she has worked alongside the industry’s most influential people. She has appeared on numerous TV shows including Saturday Night Live where she famously impersonated other female pop artists
Saturday Night Live
Ariana Grande has had the honour of performing at some of the most iconic venues in the world, showcasing her talent on stages that few artists reach. Among her most notable performances, she has graced the White House, performing for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama – a rare invitation and is a testament to her talent.
Ariana has also taken the stage at the legendary Madison Square Garden, a venue known for hosting some of the most significant events in entertainment history. Adding to her list of career milestones, Ariana is set to perform at the Super Bowl, one of the biggest and most-watched events in the world. The Super Bowl halftime show is a coveted spot for any artist, and her upcoming performance will place her in the ranks of music legends who have captivated millions of viewers during this iconic event.
These performances at such iconic venues highlight Ariana Grande’s widespread appeal and her ability to command the stage, whether in front of world leaders, massive live audiences, or millions of viewers around the globe.
Her influences
Mariah Carey: Grande has often credited Mariah Carey as one of her primary vocal influences. She admires Carey’s incredible vocal range, control, and agility, particularly her use of the whistle register singing. Grande’s admiration for Carey extends to the point of calling her “literally my favourite human being on the planet.”
Whitney Houston: Alongside Carey, Whitney Houston is another major influence on Grande’s vocal style. Houston’s powerful, emotive singing and ability to convey deep emotion through her voice have been pivotal in shaping Grande’s own vocal performances.
Destiny’s Child: The harmonies and vocal arrangements of this iconic group, particularly the influence of Beyoncé, have also impacted Grande’s vocal style, contributing to her affinity for intricate vocal runs and riffs.
Celine Dion: As a child, Grande often sang songs from Dion’s album “Let’s Talk About Love,” showcasing her early admiration for Dion’s powerful and emotive vocal delivery.
It is believed that Gloria Estefan also played a crucial role in encouraging Grande to pursue her musical career – the two are very good friends.
Ariana Grande is widely recognised for her exceptional vocal abilities, often described as a soprano with a four-octave vocal range and a whistle register. This extensive range and technical prowess have drawn frequent comparisons to Mariah Carey, particularly after the release of her debut album Yours Truly, which showcased Grande’s ability to navigate complex vocal runs and high notes with ease.
Critics have praised Grande not only for her vocal range but also for her vocal control and versatility. Mark Savage of BBC News highlighted her as “one of pop’s most intriguing and gifted singers,” emphasizing her unparalleled ability to control her voice. Jon Pareles of The New York Times noted the diversity of Grande’s vocal style, describing how she can seamlessly transition from a silky, breathy tone to a more cutting and powerful delivery.
Her voice has been described as “supple and airborne,” capable of conveying a wide range of emotions without ever sounding forced. Composer and playwright Jason Robert Brown, writing for Time magazine, acknowledged her ability to defy expectations with her vocal talent, stating that her voice can effectively overcome any doubts or challenges she may face.
Styling it out
Ariana Grande’s personal style and public image have evolved significantly throughout her career, influenced by both classic Hollywood icons and her own desire to create a unique persona.
Style Influences and Evolution:
Audrey Hepburn: In her early career, Grande cited Audrey Hepburn as a major style influence, emulating Hepburn’s iconic, elegant look. However, she later found this style “a little boring” and moved away from it.
1950s and 1960s Actresses: Grande also drew inspiration from other classic actresses like Ann-Margret, Nancy Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe. These influences contributed to a vintage, feminine style that was often described as “modest” and “age appropriate,” particularly in comparison to other young pop stars.
Transition in Style: By 2014, Grande began to shift away from her earlier, more reserved style. She started wearing more daring outfits, such as short skirts, crop tops, and knee-high boots, both on stage and at red carpet events. This period also saw the introduction of her signature accessories, like cat and bunny ears, and later, oversized jackets and hoodies.
Hair and Iconic Look: Grande’s high ponytail became one of her most recognisable trademarks, especially after years of dyeing her hair red for her Nickelodeon role damaged it, necessitating the use of extensions. This hairstyle received more attention than her fashion choices, becoming iconic in its own right.
Public Perception: Despite some controversies, such as the “doughnut-licking” incident in 2015, Grande managed to maintain her image. Critics initially labelled her a “diva” for her assertiveness, but many recognized these actions as a way for Grande to control her own image.
Influence and Social Media Presence
Ariana is one of the most influential celebrities on social media, with a massive following across multiple platforms:
YouTube: Over 53 million subscribers, making her one of the most subscribed music artists, with her videos viewed over 25 billion times.
Spotify: Over 95 million followers, making her the fourth most-followed artist and the second most-followed woman.
Instagram: Over 380 million followers, making her the sixth-most-followed individual and third-most-followed woman.
TikTok: Over 34 million followers, showcasing her continued influence on popular culture and the internet.
Sales and Streaming Records
Global Sales: Grande has sold between 85 to 90 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In the U.S. alone, she has sold over 100 million units, including albums, singles, and streaming-equivalent sales, positioning her as the fifth highest-certified female artist on the RIAA’s Top Artists (Digital Singles) ranking.
Album Success: All of Grande’s studio albums have been certified platinum or higher by the RIAA and have spent at least one year on the Billboard 200 chart. In total, she has moved 22.4 million album units and garnered over 23.6 billion streams in the U.S. by 2023.
Streaming Achievements: Grande is the most-streamed female artist as of 2021, with over 98 billion streams globally. She has over 30 billion streams on Spotify, making her one of the top ten most-streamed artists on the platform and the most-streamed female artist of the 2010s on both Spotify and Apple Music. She became the first woman to have an album with over one and two billion streams and holds numerous other streaming records, including having fourteen songs with over one billion streams each on Spotify.
Billboard and Hot 100 Records
Hot 100 Achievements: Grande has had nine singles top the Billboard Hot 100, including “Thank U, Next,” “7 Rings,” “Stuck With U,” and “Rain on Me.” She holds the record for the most number-one debuts on the Hot 100 for a female artist and was the first artist to have five number-one singles debut at the top. She is also the first solo artist since The Beatles to occupy the top three spots on the Hot 100 simultaneously.
Chart Records: With her album Thank U, Next, Grande set the record for the largest streaming week for a pop album by a female artist, with 307 million on-demand audio streams. She also surpassed Paul McCartney as the artist with the most number-one duets on the Hot 100.
Awards and Recognitions
Grammy and BRIT Awards: Grande has won two Grammy Awards, one BRIT Award, and numerous other accolades, including nine MTV Video Music Awards, three MTV Europe Music Awards, and three American Music Awards.
Billboard and Other Honors: She has received 39 Billboard Music Award nominations, winning two, including Top Female Artist in 2019. Grande has also been honoured by Billboard as the Woman of the Year in 2018 and was named the greatest pop star of 2019. She has been recognised as the most successful female artist to debut in the 2010s.
Guinness World Records: Grande has broken thirty-five Guinness World Records, including the most songs to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the most followers and monthly listeners on Spotify for a female artist.
Impact and Legacy
Grande’s influence extends far beyond her music, as she continues to set and break records, both in terms of sales and streaming and in her widespread popularity on social media. Her ability to consistently achieve chart-topping hits, combined with her numerous awards and honours, solidifies her status as one of the most prominent and influential artists in contemporary music.
Here at Quinn Artistes, we are very excited about the upcoming blockbuster movie opening in cinemas across the UK on 27th November 2024
