Ariana Grande-Butera, born on June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her four-octave vocal range, she is considered a pop icon and an influential figure in popular music. Grande has received numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, one Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, and three American Music Awards.
Early Career and Acting
Grande began her career in 2008 in the Broadway musical 13. She rose to prominence for her role as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon television series Victorious (2010–2013) and its spin-off, Sam & Cat (2013–2014). Her acting career also includes roles in the television series Scream Queens (2015), a live television production of Hairspray (2016), and the film Don't Look Up (2021). In 2024, she starred as Glinda in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, for which she received critical acclaim.
Music Career
2013-2017: Yours Truly, My Everything, and Dangerous Woman
Grande signed with Republic Records in 2011 and released her debut album, Yours Truly, in 2013. The album, which featured a retro-pop and R&B sound, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Her second album, My Everything (2014), experimented with EDM and propelled her to worldwide stardom with singles like "Problem," "Break Free," and "Bang Bang." Her third album, Dangerous Woman (2016), continued her success in the pop and R&B genres.
2018-2020: Sweetener, Thank U, Next, and Positions
Her fourth and fifth albums, Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019), were influenced by personal struggles and incorporated trap music elements. Sweetener won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Thank U, Next featured the number-one singles "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings," making her the first solo artist to hold the top three spots on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously. In 2020, she released her sixth album, Positions, with the title track debuting at number one on the Hot 100. She also achieved number-one collaborations with "Stuck with U" (with Justin Bieber) and "Rain on Me" (with Lady Gaga).
2024-Present: Eternal Sunshine
After a hiatus, Grande released her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, in 2024. The album produced the number-one singles "Yes, And?" and "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)".
Artistry and Achievements
Grande is known for her four-octave vocal range and her use of the whistle register. She is one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 90 million records worldwide. She holds several Guinness World Records and was named one of the greatest vocalists of all time by Rolling Stone. Outside of her music and acting career, Grande is an advocate for mental health, gender and racial equality, and animal rights.