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Ariana Grande's Hair Transformation Will Have You Daydreamin' of Her Nickelodeon Days
Ariana Grande’s new hair is like something out of a past life.
The 32-year-old shared a glimpse at herself rocking a slick ponytail in the dance studio ahead of the Eternal Sunshine tour. And while she just announced the release of her new eighth studio album Petal on July 31, her latest look was certainly reminiscent of the signature high pony she wore during earlier eras—from her debut album Yours Truly to her chart-topping fifth LP thank u next.
As if she could read minds, Ariana clarified in a comment tagging her hairstylist Alyx Liu, “i love this long (not high) pony @alyxliu sm and you.”
And in case fans didn’t get the message the first time, Alyx doubled down, “LOVE this long (not high) pony!!!!” To which Ariana replied, “gigglllliiiing.”
The “Into You” singer is no stranger to switching up her hairstyles. While the high and tight ponytail is one of her most iconic looks, she most recently flaunted her natural curls in a March 4 beauty video.
Donning a face mask, she gave viewers a tour of her makeup bag—which contained over a dozen lip glosses and stains—explaining, “I'm going through my purse and I think it's actually crucial that you see. I want you to know how many things in my bag are lip products."
But the curls aren’t the only hair transformation she’s had lately, as she transitioned back to her natural brunette color after maintaining her Wicked character Glinda’s bright blonde tresses for three years.
Sharing a mirror selfie revealing her fresh brown strands, Ariana, quoting Glinda, quipped in an Instagram post last October, “It’s good to see me, isn’t it?”
And while the “thank u next” artist has learned to embrace her brunette locks over the years, she revealed that her late ex Mac Miller (aka Malcolm McCormack) was the first person to help her accept her natural dark mane after she rose to fame as the redheaded Cat Valentine on Victorious.
“I’ve never talked about this, but actually Malcolm, whom you might know as Mac, encouraged me to be myself,” Ariana confessed on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast on Jan. 13. “And that it was OK to kind of shed that character, and embrace my brown hair, and make R&B-influenced pop music and separate and do the brave thing.”
Read on to see how Ariana has switched up her look throughout her career…
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Glam Girl
Ariana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Darling Diva
The Sam & Cat star stunned in a charming white mini-dress at the 2011 Grammy Awards. She paired her simple, yet striking outfit with sparkly gold heels and dainty jewelry pieces.
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Hot, Hot, Hot
Looking like a modern-day Jessica Rabbit with her blinding Dolce & Gabbana red dress, Ariana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Vintage Vibes
Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.
Mark Davis/Getty Images
Ray of Sunshine
The "Dangerous Woman" singer made a splash at the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Matching the orange carpet, Grande wore a vibrant mini-dress and pairs it with white pumps and a whimsical clutch.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Dashing in Black
Ariana oozed with old Hollywood glamour at the 2014 American Music Awards. She opted for a floor-length black lace gown from MT Costello.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS
White-Hot
Wearing a white gown with silver lamé mesh at the 2015 Grammy Awards, Ariana shined as bright as the flashing lights on the red carpet.
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Effortlessly Elegant
Beaming in a floral beaded, peplum mini-dress at the 2015 American Music Awards, Ariana stunned in this statement-making piece from Giambattista Valli.
Neil P. Mockford/GC Images
Vision in White
Ariana made a bold fashion choice wearing an all-white ensemble at KISS FM in 2015. While most are scared to get an outfit like that dirty, the Nickelodeon alum wasn't afraid to take that risk!
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Penchant for Pantsuits
Ditching the usual dress at the 2016 American Music Awards, the "Problem" artist opted for a sexy corset top and elegant white pants.
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images
Oversized Overalls
Ariana rocked a funky fresh outfit at the 2016 Hairspray Live! press junket. She sizzled in oversized overalls, a bralette and a bedazzled choker necklace.
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Royal Blues
Ariana brought the heat to the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Her Atelier Versace dress highlighted her playful side with its unique cut-out design and bright colors.
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God Is a Woman
Ariana took fans to church with her Sistine Chapel-inspired dress at the 2018 Met Gala. Megan McCluskey designed the gown in keeping with event's theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Cotton Candy Dream
Ariana looked like a cotton candy dream in her pastel pink ensemble at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango event. Giving us '90s nostalgia, she rocked platinum sneakers, matching ankle socks and an oversized sweater that states, "girls girls girls."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Billboard
Lavender "Loofah"
The "7 Rings" singer looked regal and elegant in her custom Christian Siriano dress, which she perfectly dubbed the "loofah of the year" lewk. Of course, she tied her outfit together by wearing her signature thigh-high boots.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
SIlver Siren
Not only did the pop star turned heads with two outfit changes at the 2020 Grammys red carpet, but her platinum blonde pony was all anyone could talk about at the time.
Curly Sue
Ariana said thank u, next to her signature high pony with a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.
13 Going on 30
The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.
Blonde Beauty
The Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look in October 2022.
David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
Wickedly Good
Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.
Gotham/Getty Images
Goddess of the Garden
For the 2024 Met Gala, which had a "Garden of Time" dress code to celebrate the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit, Ariana wore an ethereal white gown from Loewe featuring a mother of pearl bodice—a nod to her birthstone—and long chiffon skirt.
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