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Ariana Grande Reacts to Fans Who Criticized Her 'Wicked' Casting
Save your tears, Ariana Grande fans.
The Wicked actress gave insight into what she wants the next decade of her career to look like and hinted that it will probably be quite different from what fans have grown accustomed to from her over the past 10 years.
"I’m going to say something so scary," the singer said on the Nov. 6 episode of costar Bowen Yang's Las Culturistas podcast. "It’s going to scare the absolute s--t out of my fans and everyone. I love them, and they will deal and we will be here forever."
"I’m always going to make music. I’m always going to go on stage. I’m always going to do pop stuff, I pinky promise," the Grammy winner continued, "but I don’t think doing it at the rate that I’ve been doing for the past 10 years is where I see the next 10 years."
The 31-year-old—who got her start on Broadway at the age of 15—explained that musical theater is her "heart" and working on Wicked reminded her of how much she loves it.
"I think I love acting; I love musical theater," Ariana shared. "Reconnecting with this part of myself who started in musical theater and who loves comedy and it heals me to do that, finding roles to use these parts of myself and put them in little homes and characters and bits and voices and songs."
The "One Last Time" singer—who has released seven studio albums since 2013—added, "It really does [feed me] in a different way than songwriting and writing about my own pain, because it's just kind of like constantly reliving that one thing you wrote the song about."
Instead of pouring her heart out through songwriting, Ariana said that finding ways to inject herself into different roles sounds more appealing to her at this juncture of her career.
"Finding a character and putting the pieces there and finding little homes for them there and then them coming back and feeding you and teaching you new things through performing the act of being Glinda... it really feeds you," she said. "I would love to [that] in whatever roles we see fit or I can do a good job or honor the material."
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The Nickelodeon alum added, "I would really love to, because it's a lot better for me, but I do think so."
After an emotional exchange with cohosts Matt Rogers and Bowen, the "thank u, next" musician made sure to stress that her fans can still expect a variety of projects from her in the future.
"Art also is what feeds me—in whatever capacity it is," Ariana explained. "I'll always be doing and creating six different things at once. I don't see that going anywhere, I just see it shifting and looking a little different."
Keep reading for more of Ariana's evolution over the years.
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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!
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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.
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Vintage Vibes
Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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."
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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.
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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.
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Wickedly Good
Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.
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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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