Ariana Grande is a Grammy-winning American singer, songwriter, and actress who began her career in 2008 with the Broadway musical 13. She gained fame for her role as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and Sam & Cat. Transitioning to music, she signed with Republic Records in 2011 after sharing cover videos on YouTube.
Her debut album, Yours Truly (2013), showcased a 1950s doo-wop-inspired pop and R&B sound, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. It included the top-ten single “The Way” featuring Mac Miller. Her next albums, My Everything (2014) and Dangerous Woman (2016), incorporated EDM and continued her pop-R&B style, with hits like “Problem,” “Break Free,” and the Grammy-nominated “Dangerous Woman.”
Her later albums, Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019), saw her experiment with trap music while maintaining her signature style. Both albums debuted at number one worldwide and received critical acclaim. Sweetener earned her a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, and Thank U, Next broke streaming records. In 2019, Ariana became the first solo artist to hold the top three spots on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously with “7 Rings,” “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” and “Thank U, Next.”
Ariana is also a social media powerhouse, known for her iconic ponytail, bold fashion, and outspoken advocacy for feminism and LGBTQ+ rights. She became the most followed woman on Instagram in 2019 and was named Billboard’s Woman of the Year in 2018. Forbes listed her among the highest-paid celebrities, and Time included her in its 100 Most Influential People list twice.
Her five platinum-certified albums and over 35 billion streams highlight her status as one of the leading artists of her generation, blending vocal talent, personal authenticity, and cultural influence.