Ariana Grande claps back at haters questioning her natural voice, shares why the criticism is 'so funny'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ariana Grande spoke out about criticism suggesting she now speaks in a higher pitch than she did in the past.
The 'Wicked' actress, who recently earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Glinda, said, “The thing that I do that perplexes people so much—and it's just so funny because if you're a person who uses their voice, you know about this.”
Ariana Grande says she changes her vocal placement
On the February 3 episode of the 'Smartless' podcast, Ariana Grande said, “If I have a long day of press or if I have to sing, I'll place [my voice] a little higher.”
The 31-year-old elaborated, “I'll change my vocal placement to kind of preserve. But that is just something that's healthy for the voice. It's just basically pitching your voice up a tiny bit.”
Grande, who began dating her 'Wicked' co-star Ethan Slater in 2023, did not hold back in addressing the online skepticism surrounding her voice.
“It's just a normal thing for vocalists,” she continued.
“But people are like, ‘That's not her natural voice.’ And I'm like, ‘Well, it is actually, but it's just a little higher. All of it is natural,’” she added.
Having already clapped back at similar criticisms regarding her vocal work for 'Wicked' in 2024, she acknowledged that these conversations may never fully end.
“It's so funny because I’ve talked about it a zillion times,” she explained.
“And people are still like, ‘Where's your real voice?’ And I'm like, ‘Well, they all are,’” Grande shared, according to E! News.
Ariana Grande opens up on taking Glinda’s voice with her
Despite the ongoing speculation, Ariana Grande is embracing her vocal evolution, especially as it pertains to her role as Glinda in 'Wicked.'
“I think that might stay,” she told Variety in January of her higher register and crisper articulation.
“Galinda required a lot of vocal work for me. Certain things maybe won’t melt away. Some will, but I’m really grateful for the pieces that will stay with us forever,” she said.
“What a beautiful thing to be left with, and to feel the ghost of every day," she added.
Reflecting on how the change was influenced by her time with 'Wicked' co-star Cynthia Erivo, Grande said, “Maybe people underestimate how long we spent finding and disappearing into these women."
"So when certain inflections or mannerisms take time to melt away, sometimes people poke fun. But we had a job to do, and we had things to get lost in—because that’s what the piece required," she added.
