Ariana Grande has recently addressed the buzz surrounding her vocal changes, putting to rest any speculation about her speaking voice. The pop sensation, known for her powerful vocals and chart-topping hits, explained the reasons behind the noticeable shifts in her voice during a recent interview on Penn Badgley’s Podcrushed podcast.
In a TikTok video that went viral, Grande was seen discussing her new music in a lower tone before abruptly switching to a higher pitch. The clip, which quickly garnered attention, led to fans questioning the authenticity of her voice. The video was captioned, “The Voice Change??” highlighting the stark contrast in her vocal delivery.
Grande herself responded to the comments, clarifying that the change in her vocal tone is a natural occurrence. She explained that her higher pitch is a result of “habit” and “speaking like this for two years” while portraying Glinda in the upcoming Wicked films. She emphasized that this vocal adjustment is also crucial for her “vocal health,” stating, “I intentionally change my vocal placement (high/low) often depending on how much singing I’m doing.”
The singer further elaborated that this practice is not new for her, saying, “I’ve always done this BYE.” Her explanation aimed to dispel any misconceptions about her voice, reassuring fans that the changes are intentional and beneficial for her vocal well-being.
This isn’t the first time Grande’s speaking voice has been a topic of discussion. Earlier this year, similar observations were made when she presented at the 2024 Oscars alongside her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo. Despite the scrutiny, Grande has been transparent about the extensive training she underwent to prepare for her role as Glinda. She revealed that she spent six months in rigorous voice and acting lessons to transform her voice and overall persona for the character.
During an appearance on The Zach Sang Show in February, Grande shared insights into her preparation process. “Prepping for the auditions was like six months — voice lessons every day, acting lessons every day,” she said. “I trained every day … to transform my voice, even — like, my singing voice — everything about me, I had to deconstruct to prove to them I could handle taking on this other person.”
While some fans focused on her speaking patterns, many were more excited about the prospect of new music from the artist. On the Podcrushed podcast, Grande hinted at the possibility of a deluxe edition of her Billboard 200-topping album, Eternal Sunshine. “I’ve been living in the studio,” she revealed. “I went to the studio the day after the Met [Gala] and stayed there for 10 days. I’ve been writing a lot, and maybe there’s more. I want to do a deluxe at some point.”
The viral TikTok video, which has amassed over 780,000 likes, featured numerous comments poking fun at her vocal change. However, Grande’s explanation in the comments section aimed to provide clarity and put an end to the speculation. She reiterated that the shift in her vocal placement is a long-standing habit and a necessary measure for maintaining her vocal health.
Fans quickly came to her defense, with many pointing out that it’s common for people’s voices to change in different settings. One user noted, “Yall acting like y’all’s voices don’t change in certain spaces and settings,” while another speculated that the change might be related to her role in Wicked, saying, “Bet you she does this voice change to help ease into the operatic resonance she needs to use for when she sings Glinda s–t.”
Grande has been candid about the challenges she faced in preparing for her role in Wicked. She mentioned that she had to “completely erase popstar Ari” to convincingly portray Glinda. “I had to go all the way to strip that down, come into my callback with no makeup, my hair down, I looked like I was 11 years old,” she explained.
Despite the scrutiny, Grande remains focused on her music and acting career. She recently released her latest studio album, Eternal Sunshine, which she said came about unexpectedly during the Hollywood strikes. “I did not plan to [make new music now]. I didn’t have the goal to make an album,” she shared on The Zach Sang Show. “It all just kind of started pouring out, and after our first week together, I kept coming to the studio every day by myself, and it just kinda kept organically happening that way.”
Later this year, Grande will star opposite Cynthia Erivo in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu. The film is set to open in theaters on November 27, and fans are eagerly anticipating her portrayal of Glinda.
In the meantime, Grande continues to navigate her career with grace, addressing any criticism with transparency and focusing on her passion for music and acting.
