Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande-Butera was born on June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida, and first became widely known as an actor. Her breakthrough came playing Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious, which premiered in 2010 and established her comic, recognizable television presence. While working on Victorious, Grande released music and developed a four-octave vocal range that critics associated with Mariah Carey. Her debut album, Yours Truly, arrived in 2013, opened at number one on the Billboard 200, and included single “The Way.” Her second album, My Everything, followed in 2014 and produced several hits, including “Problem,” “Break Free,” and “Love Me Harder.” “One Last Time” gained renewed attention, while “Bang Bang,” her collaboration with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, became a success. Grande's third album, Dangerous Woman, was released in 2016 and marked a mature direction. Its title track, “Into You,” and “Side to Side” displayed her range from balladry to pop, while the album earned a Grammy nomination for Pop Vocal Album. In 2018, Sweetener won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and contained “No Tears Left to Cry,” a song responding to the 2017 attack at Grande's Manchester concert. She organized the One Love Manchester benefit, which raised money for victims. Thank U, Next, released in February 2019, became defining records. The album's title song addressed relationships and grief with unusual directness, while “7 Rings” drew on “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. It debuted at number one. Later, Grande released single “Boyfriend” with Social House and joined Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey on “Don't Call Me Angel.” In 2020, she collaborated with Lady Gaga on “Rain on Me,” which won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 63rd Grammy Awards. Grande's 2020 album Positions explored sensuality, imagery, and a smoother blend of pop and R&B. The song “Positions” topped the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first artist to debut three songs at number one. The album featured “34+35” and “pov.” Outside music, she returned to the screen as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked. Released in two parts, Wicked: Part One opened in 2024 and placed Grande alongside Cynthia Erivo, whose Elphaba forms the partnership of the story. Grande's career connects television comedy, pop vocals, charity work, and film performance. Her discography records changing chapters while retaining theatrical precision: from the debut's retro-R&B framing to Sweetener's resilience, Thank U, Next's candor, and Positions' intimate confidence, pop remains autobiographical.