Top 10 Savage Ariana Grande Moments
#10: Fact Checking Headlines
The Phelps Twins Fact Check the Internet
We all know that celebrity gossip magazines can be pretty loose with the truth when quoting their subjects, but Ariana Grande isn’t one to take these sorts of creative liberties lying down. On Entertainment Tonight, she called out an interviewer for bringing up just such a headline, and clarified that her soundbye had been intentionally taken out of context and twisted to create a more sensationalized, salacious story. Rather than just sitting back and politely answering the interview questions, she fought back to set the record straight once and for all.
#9: Calling Out a Reporter for not Doing Her Research
When a reporter for television newsmagazine Extra asked Ariana Grande about making out with Patrick Schwarzenegger in the music video for “Right There”, Grande was quick to shut her down. Retorting that the two didn’t even kiss, she questioned whether the reporter had even watched the video in question. As the interviewer admitted that she hadn’t, and was just going by what she’d been told, Grande’s look was pure scathing. Now it’s true that the shots featuring Grande and Schwarzenegger in the pool were pretty steamy; but never do their lips lock. Come on people, do your homework!
#8: Telling Off Ryan Seacrest
Top 10 Celebrities Who Need to Stop Telling Us Things
Back in 2016, after Ariana Grande posted an adorable photo to Instagram of herself and Mac Miller, Ryan Seacrest asked her about it in an interview for his morning radio show. Grande immediately bristled at his assumption that this post was “confirming” their relationship. She clapped back, clearly not wanting to engage with his line of questioning, arguing that a simple photo wasn’t “confirmation” of anything, and that neither he nor his listeners were entitled to know more about her personal life than she wanted to share. With constant questions about her romantic relationships, we can imagine it gets pretty exhausting.
#7: Defending Miley Cyrus & Justin Bieber
Both Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber have received a fair amount of flak over the years for various decisions, be they personal or professional. When asked by Reuters to comment on her fellow pop stars, Ariana was quick to throw out her support for both of them, criticizing society’s obsession with celebrity choices and behavior. If their decisions aren’t for you, she said, just look at something else! She also expressed bafflement that the media often seems more preoccupied with her personal life than her actual music and successes. And she offered some words of advice for those who love to criticize . . .
#6: Calling a Radio Host a Jerk
In a interview on Australian radio station The Edge 96.ONE, presenter Mike E was determined to make his point. Bad press is better than no press at all, he insisted, while Ariana seemed to struggle not to roll her eyes. After all, he continued, you don’t want to end up being “beige” - someone who no one cares about anymore, like - in his opinion - singer Leona Lewis. Taken aback, and finding his comments mean-spirited, Grande was ready with a response . . . We guess he was trying to be “Edgy”, but Ariana wasn’t having it.
#5: Her Tweet Confirming She's Single
Ariana Grande Impressions VS the Actual Person
Ariana had a tumultuous 2018, what with the untimely death of her ex Mac Miller, and her short-lived engagement to Pete Davidson. So it’s no wonder that she was starting off the new year on a new foot. Since people never stop asking her who she’s dating, she responded on Twitter in a pretty hilarious way. It was her way of telling the world that she was definitely single, that she wouldn’t be starting a new relationship in the foreseeable future, and that people should refer back to that Tweet in case they had any doubts. You do you girl!
#4: Calling Out Sexist Interviewers
What do you ask a chart-topping, award-winning singer whose vocal range has been compared to Mariah Carey’s? Radio hosts Justin Credible and Eric D-Lux on Power 106’s “The Liftoff” apparently scratched their heads and came up with this one . . . Which do you care about more, Credible wondered, makeup or your phone? The Princess of Pop pauses - probably trying not to facepalm - before giving the only answer he deserves. After she asserts that she often goes for hours without her phone, and much prefers socializing without it, D-Lux responds with “ladies learn!”. But as Ariana points out, it’s the “boys” she’s dealing with who really need to be schooled.
#3: Thank U, Next
Top 10 Iconic Ariana Grande Moments
The title track of Ariana’s fifth studio album went against the grain, while remaining 100% Ari. “Thank u, next” could have been just another angry, dime-a-dozen breakup anthem. Instead, it’s an honest and surprisingly serene ode to love, experience, and self-empowerment. Rather than laying low after her high profile breakup with Pete Davidson, she chose to lean into it, broadcasting her feelings for the world to hear. The song rocketed to the top of the charts, while the music video broke records, racking up 55 million views on YouTube in a single day.
#2: Calling Out Grammys Producer Ken Ehrlich
In February of 2019, Ariana Grande found herself in a feud with the Grammys, specifically with producer Ken Ehrlich. When it was announced that Grande had pulled out of the show, Ehrlich told the Associated Press that it was because she felt it was too late to put together a performance. On Twitter, Grande replied that this was untrue, claiming that Ehrlich had stifled her “creativity & self expression”. She skipped the awards, despite winning a Grammy herself, and then, right in the middle of the show, pulled attention with some well-timed Instagram posts and an Apple ad.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
"I've Seen Enough"
Calling Out TMZ for Spelling Her Name Wrong
"I Don't Go to McDonalds"
#1: Calling Out Sexism in an Epic Way
After breaking up with Mac Miller, Ariana faced criticism from the rapper’s fans. One Twitter user took this much too far, when he implied that Miller’s reckless behavior was somehow Grande’s fault. She clapped back in a response in which she pointed out that no one should have to remain in a toxic relationship. “I’m not a babysitter or a mother,” she wrote, “and no woman should feel that they need to be.” Miller’s tragic overdose months later puts an even sadder spin on this story, but doesn’t change the message that Grande was sharing. The Twitter user who’d criticized her apologized in response, and Ariana thanked him for hearing her. . . . Turns out that sometimes on the internet, people actually listen!
