Top 10 Best Ariana Grande Performances

In April 2019, Ariana Grande made history as the youngest headliner ever at the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. With the fest celebrating its 20th anniversary, the singer’s sets did not disappoint; in addition to performing tracks from 2019’s “Thank U, Next” and lots of old goodies, she brought out multiple surprise guests. Her first headlining set had the likes of Nicki Minaj, Diddy and several NSYNC members sing along, while her second set featured a musical guest who said he hadn’t been on stage in 2 years! Justin Bieber, who features alongside Grande on the Lil Dicky single “Earth,” sang his hit single, “Sorry,” and told the crowd he had a new album “coming soon!” Ariana sure knows how to put on a show!

While music video for ‘Bang Bang' featuring Ariana, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj is endless fun, it’s not a song they could play together live very often. For the 2014 edition of the American Music Awards however, the 3 artists use the crowd to create an even bigger spectacle. Jessie J runs through aisles before sharing dances with Taylor Swift and Lorde. When the camera cuts to her, Grande belts out her lines with intensity before beginning to strut herself, perfectly in sync with Jessie. Between all their killer harmonies and free-styling, it’s a true celebration of fun songwriting and powerful women in music. Since we wouldn't get too many live renditions of 'Bang Bang,' we really appreciate Ari and company putting their hearts into this performance.

With string players and smoke around her, Ariana Grande delivered a more subdued performance of 'Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart' at the 57th Grammy Awards. Before we witness firsthand just how far she's come, Anna Kendrick's intro reminds us of Grande's humble beginnings in 'Annie'. The more minimalistic setup focuses on the song itself and makes each new instrument feel all the more important. Right as Ariana seems to be ending the track, she hits a devastating high note for the last chorus. The whole thing is so moving that you can even see Grande get a bit emotional as she finishes singing.

Rather than phoning in her musical medley for the 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' in 2014, Ariana treated the crowd like she would any of her fans. As Grande belts her heart out for the cameras, she makes sure to share the spotlight as well. Her enthusiasm is even enough to get the usually reserved models singing and dancing with her a couple times. Though the performance is usually remembered for the tweet she posted about getting smacked by a model’s angel wings and the photos of it that would give birth to an epic meme, Grande triumphantly sings through 'Love Me Harder,' 'Bang Bang', 'Break Free' and 'Problem.' Despite all the coordination and crazy lighting going on around her, Ariana sings stronger than ever to deliver a fierce live medley worthy of the occasion.

For her debut at the 2013 American Music Awards, Ari stripped down her sound for a more timeless set. Ariana sings 'Tattooed Heart' while standing in place like a crooner to highlight her raw talent, with a barbershop quartet behind her as support. The song is plenty soulful on the album, but Grande's vocals are even more heartbreaking live. The quartet also offer some fun microphone choreography to accent the song's more theatrical moments. While it was early in Ariana's career, the audience is audibly screaming for her. By keeping it classy and simple, Grande made us fall in love with 'Tattooed Heart' all over again.

It takes a lot of talent to sing and act like a queen, but Ariana delivered that and more from a bicycle. Re-enacting her steamy 'Side To Side' video, Grande and her dancers pedalled on stage at the 2016 MTV VMAs. Though the extra cardio definitely affects her vocals in a couple places, Ariana hits more than enough high notes to compensate for it. Grande also rides with no hands and spanks her dancers in the middle of her complex bike choreography. Between Nicki Minaj's incomparable flow and Ariana's impressive multi-tasking, 'Side To Side' has never looked better.

Though her holiday-themed performance of “Imagine” was memorable, it’s the fact that she decided to make her TV debut of 'No Tears Left To Cry' on her personal episode of 'The Tonight Show' in earlier in 2018 that more special. After an exclusive interview, a hilarious genre challenge and a skit about her ponytail, Ariana starts the song lying on the floor. While she's motionless to the point of leaving her microphone on the ground, Grande still sings like an angel. Of course, she’s soon up and moving around the set, recreating the disorienting visuals from the song’s video. For this performance, 'No Tears Left To Cry' took on a whole new life thanks to Ariana's stellar musicianship and the surreal effects put together by her lighting crew.

Rather than playing 'Focus' straight, Ariana gave the song a vintage jazz update when she performed at the 2015 American Music Awards. With a band and dancers behind her, Ari goes from classic swing to over the top pop as soon as she opens the curtain. Her crew of flappers and tuxedoed men add to the classy aesthetic as Grande adapts to each style change of the performance. While running around the stage, Ariana also takes a few breaks to dance like an old school diva. Blending genres and going big in terms of spectacle, this version of “Focus” is refreshingly eccentric and infectiously energetic.

After fans were injured and killed by a suicide bomber at a 2017 show in Manchester, the singer hosted a benefit concert to support the victims. Ariana invited artists like Coldplay and Liam Gallagher, and closed the entire set with a sombre rendition of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow.' Despite fighting tears during the entire performance, Grande sings with confidence to help empower her fans. Even after her emotions get the best of her, Ariana finishes the track with the crowd cheering her on. Her subdued cover of “The Wizard of Oz” ballad ended the show on a hopeful note that was intended to help Manchester heal.



Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

"Break Free" on the L.A. Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theater
"Greedy” for Vevo Presents


"Into You" at the Capital's 2016 Summertime Ball




"The Way” featuring Mac Miller on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"




“The Way” with Mac Miller at One Love Manchester (2017)

To take 'God Is A Woman' to the next level, Ariana worked with dozens of dancers to recreate Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper.' Grande delivers silky but powerful vocals, while evoking religious overtones with a powerfully feminine touch. The amazing set design and detailed costumes capture the spiritual and historical sides of Da Vinci's painting. Though there's an insane amount of coordination between the massive cast, it's their minimalist choreography that really sells the performance. Ariana even brings out her cousin, mom and grandmother to celebrate the best women in her life. Grande's vision transformed 'God Is A Woman' into a multimedia anthem.