Ariana Grande is addressing the criticism she received for her voice change during a recent podcast appearance on the Podcrushed show hosted by Penn Badgley. The 31-year-old singer, who portrays Glinda in the upcoming Wicked film, discussed the viral video where she switches from a lower, throatier voice to a higher-pitched sound. Speaking on the Shut Up Evan podcast with Evan Ross Katz, Grande explained that switching pitches is “a normal thing people do, especially if you have a large range.”
Grande elaborated that she has trained her voice to sing and speak at a higher range for her “dream role” as Glinda, and this training sometimes sneaks into her everyday speech unexpectedly. “I did just spend a long time playing a character every single day,” Grande said. “[I trained] my voice to do different things for a long time before leaving for London and before any of this. The voice is in the body, it’s an instrument and muscle memory is a real thing.”
Grande called the criticism and mockery a double standard, pointing to actors and actresses who go “method” for a role. Method acting is a technique where the actor attempts to become the character they are portraying, both on and off screen. “I mean, you see male actors, sure people make jokes here and there as well about everybody who experiences something like this, but it’s always after the fact that they’re like, ‘Oh wow, how dedicated to his craft! What an amazing transformation! He’s a brilliant performer!’ But then it’s like, God forbid I sneeze like Glinda or something,” Grande said. She added, “[Then] it’s just that I am crazy […] it’s the weirdest thing.”
The podcast host, a longtime friend of Grande’s, agreed and told skeptical listeners that “both” tones are her real voice and that it all just depends on the time of day, the role or show she’s working on, and how intense her vocal regimen is at that time. He also added that many people do not have a sense of “vocal literacy” or an understanding of what goes into being a singer. Katz even cited Celine Dion, who has similarly opened up about her own careful care of her instrument. In the “My Heart Will Go On” crooner’s recent documentary, I Am Celine, she shared that she has to sleep 12 hours a night and avoid alcohol completely to maintain her voice.
Grande, who made her Broadway debut in 13 more than a decade and a half ago, wholeheartedly agreed, saying, “[It’s] a full-time commitment and it’s a lifestyle; it’s not something you can f** around with.”
After a video of Grande’s appearance on Podcrushed amassed millions of views on TikTok, Grande responded to one reposting of the podcast episode with an explanation. “habit (speaking like this for two years) and also vocal health 🙂 🍵 i intentionally change my vocal placement (high/low) often depending on how much singing i’m doing 😭 i’ve always done this BYE,” she wrote in a TikTok comment back in June.
While she may no longer be singing for Wicked, Grande’s voice is still on her mind “24/7” — especially as she continues to make TV, movie, and podcast appearances to promote the upcoming film adaptation. Grande is also promoting her latest album, Eternal Sunshine, which released in March. While she tried to remain tight-lipped on her intentions to take the album out on the road, Grande told Katz that she is considering a “mini tour” for her devoted fans. “I think it would be a really lovely idea to be able to trickle in some shows in between the two Wicked films. I think there’s a version of that that exists,” she told Katz. Here’s hoping!
Wicked: Part One releases on Nov. 22, 2024, while Wicked: Part Two is expected on Nov. 26, 2025. The films also star Cynthia Erivo, Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.
Ariana Grande addressed criticism of her voice change during a recent podcast appearance with Evan Ross Katz on the Shut Up Evan podcast. She explained that switching between pitches is a normal thing for people with a large vocal range. Grande, who plays Glinda in the upcoming Wicked film, mentioned that training her voice for the role led to changes that sometimes persist unexpectedly. She compared the criticism she faced to the praise male actors often receive for method acting, highlighting a double standard.
Grande emphasized that the voice is an instrument subject to muscle memory and that managing vocal health is a full-time commitment. She also noted that many people lack “vocal literacy,” or understanding of what it takes to maintain a singer’s voice. This includes extensive care, as seen with Celine Dion’s regimen.
Responding to a viral TikTok video, Grande clarified that her voice changes are intentional, based on her singing schedule and vocal health needs. Despite no longer singing for Wicked, her voice remains a top priority as she promotes the film and her latest album, Eternal Sunshine. Grande hinted at a potential “mini tour” between the two Wicked films, expressing a desire to perform live for her fans.
Overall, Grande’s comments shed light on the realities of vocal training and the challenges faced by performers in managing their voices.
Source: ET, Billboard
