- Ariana Grande has just earned her first Oscar nomination
- But her acting career began almost two decades ago – and now the pop star has opened up about being a child actor
- “It is a balance of ‘survive’ and ‘thrive,’” Grande admitted
Ariana Grande is one of the industry’s biggest stars – with awards and nominations as both a singer and an actor.
But the pop icon, 31, has now opened up about her experiences as a child star.
During her teen years, Grande performed on Broadway in the musical 13, before landing a role playing Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon teen sitcom Victorious, and its spin-off, Sam & Cat.
In an interview with BBC World Service, Grande was asked about becoming “such a fully-formed person as a result of a child acting experience”.
“Being in this industry at all – as a child, as an adult, as anything – is a balance of ‘survive’ and ‘thrive’,” Grande admitted. “You know, there are so many beautiful things that come with being an actor and a performer, and I remember just falling in love with my character, and that being such a gift to my life.
“I think playing Cat Valentine was like my very first experience getting absolutely lost in a character, I just loved it so much.”
While she spoke positively of her first forays into the spotlight, Grande also acknowledged that “being in this industry, you need that support”.
“Every single thing about it is quite strange and quite alien, you know?” she explained. “Even just the experience of acting in and of itself, you are not yourself, and it’s a very strange thing.
“Just working like an adult as a child is, you know, an adjustment as well. Doing school in a little tiny room, having to take certain exams to graduate early so you can work hours sooner, these are all choices that we made. But it definitely should be, I think, a more protected place, this industry – for kids, for adults, for anyone.”
Grande added, “I just worry about those who don’t have that support, and it’s something that I hope we can be a positive part of that change together.”
Ariana Grande is nominated for her first Oscar
While her career has already spanned almost two decades, Grande is finally being given her flowers for her amazing acting skills.
The Dangerous Woman singer has received her first ever Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Glinda in the movie-musical adaptation of Wicked.
Grande is up for the Best Supporting Actress gong at the ceremony, which will take place on Sunday, March 2.
And while shortlisted actors had been waiting by their phones as they awaited the announcement, Grande took a more relaxing approach – by taking a bubble bath.
“I’m in London. I just got out of the bath,” she told Variety at the time. “Oh! My therapist is calling to congratulate me. Hold on. I’ll tell her I’ll be right back.”
Quickly taking the call, Grande returned to the conversation. “Oh my god, I’m sorry. I don’t even know what to say,” she continued. “It’s really hard to speak. I just got off the phone with my mom and my best friends and Kristen Chenoweth. And I have been texting with Cynthia [Erivo] and Jon [M. Chu] all morning.
“I sobbed. I actually haven’t stopped sobbing since then. It’s been really overwhelming.”
Ariana Grande thanks her inner child
And as Grande thanked the Academy for the recognition of her talents, she also paid tribute to “little Ari”.
“Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition,” she said in an Instagram post, before poking fun at herself and the emotional Wicked press tour by adding, “I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise.”
“I’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny Ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered,” Grande continued. “I’m so proud of you, tiny.
“Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for this acknowledgement @theacademy.”
