Ariana Grande has evolved from a child theater performer into one of the most influential pop stars of her generation—and now, one of Hollywood’s most-watched actresses. Her return to film as Glinda in Wicked: For Good marks a major turning point in her career, merging her musical talents with her long-standing love for acting. With Grammy wins, chart-topping hits, blockbuster films, and cultural influence spanning more than a decade, Grande remains one of the most notable multi-talented performers in entertainment today.
Early Life and Education
Ariana Grande-Butera was born on June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida, to graphic designer Ed Butera and businesswoman Joan Grande. Raised in a creative household, she began singing and acting at a young age. By age 8, she was performing with the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater, where her first major role was Annie in the musical of the same name. She also sang aboard cruise ships with orchestras, showcasing vocal maturity well beyond her age.
Her parents divorced when she was young, and Grande turned to performing as both passion and escape. She balanced school with a budding theater career, attending North Broward Preparatory School, which allowed her to study on set. At 15, she earned her first major role as Charlotte in the Broadway musical 13, winning a National Youth Theatre Association Award.
Television Breakthrough: Becoming Cat Valentine
Grande’s big break came in 2010 when she was cast as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon series Victorious. The bubbly, sweet, high-pitched character immediately became a fan favorite. The role required Grande to dye her hair bright red weekly, which eventually caused significant damage—but also helped create one of Nickelodeon’s most recognizable characters.
Following the show’s abrupt end in 2013, Grande continued the character in the spinoff Sam & Cat, co-starring Jennette McCurdy. Though successful, the series lasted only one season amid rumors of backstage tension and Grande’s desire to pursue music full-time.
Rise of a Pop Superstar
With acting success behind her, Grande moved fully into music by signing with Republic Records in 2011. Her debut album Yours Truly (2013) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, propelled by the hit single “The Way” featuring Mac Miller. Drawing comparisons to Mariah Carey, her vocal runs, high whistle notes, and R&B-influenced sound moved her beyond her Nickelodeon image.
Grande’s second album, My Everything (2014), cemented her pop superstardom. The release produced massive hits including Problem, Break Free, and Love Me Harder.
Her third album Dangerous Woman (2016) became her second Grammy-nominated record and spawned the global hit title track. She began her Dangerous Woman Tour in 2017, which was tragically interrupted by the Manchester Arena bombing. Grande paused the tour, organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert, and returned to performing shortly afterward in emotional tribute to the victims.
She went on to release Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019), two albums that dominated global charts. Sweetener won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, while Thank U, Next produced multiple No. 1 hits, including the title track and 7 Rings, which spent eight weeks at No. 1.
Grande became the youngest-ever Coachella headliner in 2019, further establishing her status as a cultural force.
As of 2025, she has earned:
- 86 Billboard Hot 100 entries
- 9 No. 1 singles
- 22 Top 10 hits
- 2 Grammy Awards
- Over 100 billion career streams globally
Film and Television Career
Despite her music dominance, Grande continued to act intermittently over the years. She appeared in Scream Queens, Hairspray Live!, and the Netflix film Don’t Look Up. She also became a memorable guest on Saturday Night Live, showcasing comedic timing and vocal impersonations of pop stars including Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Rihanna.
Her most significant acting role arrived in 2024 when she starred as Glinda in Wicked, opposite Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Her performance earned her both an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination.
She returns in 2025 for the second installment, Wicked: For Good, which includes two new songs written specifically for the film. Grande told NBC’s Today that playing Glinda was “the most gratifying thing” she has ever done, revealing she trained operatically for three months to prepare for the role.
Her acting career continues with roles in:
- Meet the Parents sequel (Focker-In-Law), 2026
- American Horror Story: Season 13, 2026
Personal Life & Relationships
Grande’s relationships have been a frequent topic of public interest.
She was married to real estate agent Dalton Gomez from 2021 until their 2023 separation, with the divorce finalized in 2024.
She is currently dating actor Ethan Slater, whom she met on the set of Wicked. Public scrutiny surrounded their relationship due to overlapping timelines with their previous marriages, but the pair remains private.
Grande has also famously dated:
- Pete Davidson (engaged in 2018)
- Mac Miller (2016–2018)
- Big Sean
- Ricky Alvarez
Her tribute to Mac Miller in Thank U, Next remains one of her most discussed lyrical moments.
Entrepreneurship and Net Worth
As of 2025, Ariana Grande has an estimated net worth of $250 million.
Her income comes from:
- Music sales & streaming
- World tours
- Acting roles
- Endorsements
- Fragrance lines
- Her makeup brand R.E.M. Beauty
She has released over a dozen fragrances, many of which became top sellers in the U.S. and Europe. She also supports numerous charities and co-founded Kids Who Care, helping raise funds for organizations across South Florida.
Grande has twice appeared on the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people.
In Her Own Words
On body-shaming:
“We should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies… We should help each other work toward being safer.”
On love:
“I want to be complete on my own first and fall in love with somebody who is also complete.”
On her career:
“I never expected to be taken seriously as an artist… People mistake my kindness for weakness, but I’m just a nice Italian girl from Boca who worked hard.”
Also Read: Gordon Ramsay Net Worth: Inside the Chef’s $220 Million Empire
