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Ariana Grande has suggested that she grew “tired” of being a pop star, likening it to playing “a character”.
During a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the singer and actor explained: “This feeling that people are seeing me – like, actually me – it’s so silly because I’ve been seen for so long, but it feels like it’s maybe for the first time and it’s just different.”
The publication then reflected on Grande’s “confusing statement” about her identity – referring to her “instantly recognisable ponytail”, “oversized sweatshirts and sky-high boots” that she is known for.
But the star said this was “not really her”, and no more her than her Wicked character Glinda is. “At a certain point, you get tired of that [pop star] character, because it is a character,” Grande continued. “There are pieces of you and your story that are woven throughout your songwriting, but then, because of the way it travels and becomes sensationalised, it gets away from you.
She added: “And beneath all of it is just a girl from Boca who loves art, and I think that’s why it’s been such a deeply healing gift to disappear into this character – to take off one mask and put on another.”
Wicked director Jon M. Chu told THR that Grande had “talked a lot about her own life, about playing a character of Ariana Grande, and also growing up at the same time and going through tragedy” when preparing for her role in the film.
Later, the star said the experience and impact of the big screen musical had made her “hungry for something different”.
In another recent interview, the singer credited her 2019 album ‘Thank U, Next’ with “saving my life” during a dark period after Mac Miller’s death and the 2017 terrorist attack at her concert in Manchester. At the time, the artist spoke about having therapy to deal with “PTSD and all different kinds of grief and depression and anxiety”.
She has since opened up about experiencing memory loss, saying she is “missing a couple of years” from her early career: “When I was younger and during my first few years as a pop star, I really struggled with boundaries and not being able to say ‘No’ when I needed to if I was running on empty.”
This latest reflection on her career comes after Grande told fans not to expect her to return with new music “anytime soon”, saying that “acting is feeling like home right now”. Her label had previously confirmed that she would not be playing shows in 2025, following rumours of an ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour.
Last summer, Grande talked about how “time and therapy” had helped her to “re-embrace” some of her old songs. “There was a time when it was hard for me to feel that same gratitude that I do now for certain songs and for the music,” she said.
“Because I think some of it was like a stressful time and I think becoming a pop star is insane at 19 or 20, and I think that experience was sort of married to some of the songs a little bit.”
This week, the singer urged entertainment companies to include mental health services in artist contracts.
Meanwhile, Grande is nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2025 Oscars for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked. The ceremony is due to take place in Los Angeles on March 2.
NME gave Wicked a four-star review, writing: “[Cynthia] Erivo and Grande are both vocally extraordinary. Crucially, they also have crackling chemistry punctuated by Erivo’s bursts of intensity and Grande’s slick comic timing.
“By the end, you won’t quite be levitating off your seat but you’ll definitely be enchanted enough to stream the soundtrack on the way home. Funny, colourful and full of empathy for outsiders, this film really is the Shiz.”
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