Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer and actress celebrated for her four-octave vocal range, whistle register, and blend of pop and R&B. Born in Boca Raton, Florida, she started in musical theater and landed her first major role on Broadway in 13 before achieving TV fame as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and Sam & Cat.(Wikipedia)
After signing with Republic Records, she released her debut album Yours Truly (2013), a retro-R&B-influenced record that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Follow-ups My Everything and Dangerous Woman brought global hits like “Problem,” “Into You,” and “Side to Side,” solidifying her as a mainstay of 2010s pop.(Wikipedia)
Her career—and life—were profoundly affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing at the end of one of her concerts, which killed 22 people and injured hundreds. Grande organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert, raising tens of millions for victims and families, and has maintained a long-term relationship with the city through donations and visits.(Wikipedia)
The trauma of Manchester and the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller informed the emotionally charged albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next. She has spoken openly about PTSD, grief, and relying on music and therapy to heal, even as these works produced some of her biggest hits and a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.(Wikipedia)
Later projects like Positions and her work on the Wicked film adaptation show her continuing to straddle pop stardom and musical theater. Beyond music, she founded the beauty brand r.e.m. Beauty and remains a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, mental health awareness, and charitable causes.(Wikipedia)