Ariana Grande Shares Insights on Her Musical Journey #
Ariana Grande has recently opened up about her evolving relationship with music and the reasons behind her renewed passion for creating it.
In an interview with The New York Times, published on Wednesday (November 5), Grande discussed her diverse portfolio of projects. After shifting her attention from her singing career to acting, she now balances multiple commitments.
Upcoming Projects and Challenges #
Alongside promoting the much-anticipated Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, the versatile artist has a series of acting roles lined up and plans for a world tour in 2026. The tour appears to be one of her most daunting tasks, especially since she has performed only a handful of live shows since concluding her extensive 100-date ‘Sweetener’ tour in 2019.
Grande revealed that her reluctance to tour stems partly from the challenging nature of constant travel and her changing relationship with music over the years. When asked by NYT what aspects of her pop career she believed needed improvement, she humorously responded: “How much more time do we have?”
Reflections on Music and Fame #
“My relationship with pop music felt fractured, but it has recently been healed through some time away. I didn’t expect it to slip away from me,” Grande shared, reflecting on her experiences in the public eye and the scrutiny that came with fame—whether regarding her dating life or body image. “Fulfilling dreams can sometimes feel perilous.”
“Nothing truly prepares you for the aftermath of success. For a long time, navigating that realm was tough for me, stripping much of the joy from making music. By the way, I now have a different team,” she mentioned, hinting at her 2023 separation from longtime manager Scooter Braun, which has allowed her to navigate her music and acting careers more freely. “Said with love, but that was a significant factor.”
Grande elaborated that her roots in theater provided her with a sense of comfort that was distinct from what music offered. “I’ve never felt so inspired or connected to my art, and that’s an incredible gift,” she concluded. “I’m realizing I don’t have to bear the weight of others’ projections. I can prioritize my art as its own entity. However, I had to give myself the approval to see it that way.”
Grande’s much-anticipated ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour kicks off in June 2026, covering the US until August. Following that, she’ll perform a remarkable 10 shows at The O2 in London from August to September – you can check for remaining tickets here.
She has made few live appearances since her grand 2019 tour, limiting her presence to select non-profit events and award ceremonies. However, she reassured fans that she isn’t “abandoning” music, expressing interest in more live performances for 2026.
In a four-star review of her 2024 record ‘Eternal Sunshine’, Nick Levine noted for Newzikradio: “It’s the most polished work yet from an exceptionally talented vocalist who continues to evolve. Whatever impressions you take away, ‘Eternal Sunshine’ is certainly not an album you will want to forget.”
