Ariana Grande Addresses Fans' Shock Over Her Voice Change

Ariana Grande is saying yes, and? to criticism about her voice.

The "thank u, next" singer recently surprised fans when she appeared to shift between two different registers accents during a June 12 appearance on Penn Badgley's Podcrushed podcast. And now she's explaining exactly why that happens—with a lot of it stemming from the time she spent playing Glinda in the upcoming Wicked films.

"habit," Ariana wrote June 18 in the TikTok comments of a video calling out the change. "(speaking like this for two years) and also vocal health."

She added, "i intentionally change my vocal placement (high / low) often depending on how much singing i'm doing. i've always done this BYE."

In the original clip, the 30-year-old could be heard speaking in a deeper voice before shifting to a higher, softer octave while discussing her music.

And while some jokingly noted they could relate to the change, including a user who wrote, "Me when I have to use my customer service voice," many fans quickly came to Ariana's defense.

"Yall acting like y'all's voices don't change in certain spaces and settings," a fan noted, "her interview voice is no different, especially cause singers use to to preserve their vocals. don't bring no dumb s--t over here."

Another even assumed the change had to do with Wicked, saying, "Bet you she does this voice change to help ease into the operatic resonance she needs to use for when she sings Glinda s--t."

And Ariana herself has even touched on the changes she had to make to play the character, explaining that she worked with an acting coach and a voice coach everyday to assist in her transition to Glinda.

"Everything about me, I had to deconstruct to prove to them I could handle taking on this other person," Ariana explained during a Feb. 26 appearance on The Zach Sang Show. "I had to completely erase popstar Ari, the person they know so well, because it's even harder to believe someone as someone else when you're so branded as one thing."

She added, "I had to go all the way to strip that down, come into my callback with no makeup, my hair down, I looked like I was 11 years old."

For more of Ariana through the years, keep reading.

Ariana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!

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.

Looking like a modern-day Jessica Rabbit with her blinding Dolce & Gabbana red dress, Ariana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards.

Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.

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.

Ariana oozed with old Hollywood glamour at the 2014 American Music Awards. She opted for a floor-length black lace gown from MT Costello.

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.

Beaming in a floral beaded, peplum mini-dress at the 2015 American Music Awards, Ariana stunned in this statement-making piece from Giambattista Valli.

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! 

Ditching the usual dress at the 2016 American Music Awards, the "Problem" artist opted for a sexy corset top and elegant white pants.

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.

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

Ariana said thank u, next to her signature high pony with a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.

The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.

The Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look in October 2022.

 

Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.

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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