Why Ariana Grande’s Voice Change Is Shocking Fans
Ariana Grande may need to repeat that sentence one last time.
After all, the "Boy Is Mine" singer had fans buzzing after she appeared to switch between two different accents during an appearance on Penn Badgley's Podcrushed podcast.
In a clip from the June 12 episode, Ariana first joked in a deep tone of voice that she felt like Austin Powers while recording new music, telling the Gossip Girl alum, "That's the only thing I thought of." The 30-year-old then answered a question about releasing more songs following her Eternal Sunshine album, appearing to immediately switch to a much higher pitch when saying, "Yeah, I've been writing a lot. Maybe there's some more. I would like to do a deluxe version at some point."
Fans were quick to call attention to Ariana's accent shift, with some expressing shock over the change-up.
"THE VOICE CHANGE OMG," one user wrote on X, while another quipped, "Me when I have to use my customer service voice."
Others didn't see anything strange about the Grammy winner hopping between vocal inflections, noting that it's probably a hazard of her job.
As one user put it, "It's time people realize she is a VOCALIST ofc she'll have multiple voices."
"I seen a couple people call it weird," another fan wrote. "Yall acting like y'all's voices don't change in certain spaces and settings. her interview voice is no different, especially cause singers use to to preserve their vocals. don't bring no dumb s--t over here."
And more than a few theorized that it could simply be Ariana struggling to shake off her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the forthcoming Wicked movie adaptation, which wrapped filming in January after over two years of shooting.
"Oh that glinda is escaping slowly but surely," one fan wrote, while another speculated, "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."
Ariana herself has addressed the massive changes she underwent to play her Wicked character, explaining that she worked with acting coach Nancy Banks and voice coach Eric Vetro every day ahead of her audition to transform into 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."
Keep reading to revisit more of Ariana's evolution over the years.
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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