From Boca Raton to Broadway to the top of the Billboard charts, Ariana Grande has taken the music industry by storm.
The 20-year-old songstress started out in community theatres in Florida, eventually making her way to Broadway as part of the musical, 13. That was just the start. Three years ago, Grande got her first big look on television playing Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious. The series was cancelled, but Nickelodeon mover the character to a new sitcom, Sam & Cat, which premiered in June.
During the filming of Victorious, Grande began working on her debut album, now titled Yours Truly (it drops September 3). Grande found true creative freedom at Republic Records, which resulted in first hit single: "The Way." The track, which features Mac Miller, interpolates the piano melodies of Brenda Russell's "A Little Bit of Love," sampled by Big Pun on "Still Not a Player," and the chorus on Pun's single. The success of "The Way" launched Grande on to the Billboard charts, making her the first top 10 arrival for a lead female artist since Yael Naim's "New Soul" in 2008.
This is only the beginning for Grande, who has since released the singles "Baby I" and "Right There," both of which showcase her phenomenal vocal range. Thos comparisons to Mariah Carey tell no lies.
With her debut album Yours Truly set to drop at the top of next month, it's time to find out Who Is Ariana Grande?
As told to Lauren Nostro (@LAURENcynthia)
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