Ariana Grande recently found herself at the center of social media buzz after a noticeable change in her speaking voice during an appearance on Penn Badgley’s Podcrushed podcast. The “Thank U, Next” singer, who was a guest on the show, discussed her background as a former child actor and addressed recent allegations of disturbing behavior behind the scenes at Nickelodeon, the network that launched her career.
However, it was a specific moment in the interview that caught the internet’s attention. Grande’s voice suddenly shifted to a higher, whispery tone, sparking widespread speculation. Many fans wondered if this change was related to her upcoming role as Glinda in the movie adaptation of Wicked.
Grande took to the comments section to clarify the situation. She explained that the voice change is a habit she has developed over the past two years and is also a technique for maintaining vocal health. “It’s a habit (speaking like this for two years) and also vocal health,” she wrote. She added that she “intentionally” changes her “vocal placement” depending on how much singing she’s doing to preserve her voice.
The 30-year-old singer emphasized that this is something she has “always done,” accompanied by a smiling emoji. This explanation seemed to resonate with many fans, who quickly came to her defense on social media.
The viral clip of Grande’s voice change has led to various reactions online. Some fans joked about the sudden switch, while others speculated that it was related to her role in Wicked. One user wrote, “She forgot she had to method act Glinda for a second,” while another commented, “We got old Ariana back for a second and then she Glindafied herself again.”
Grande’s explanation in the TikTok comments further clarified her vocal habits. She wrote, “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.”
This isn’t the first time Grande has addressed changes in her voice. Back in 2013, she explained in an interview that she switches pitch to keep her voice healthy. More recently, she mentioned that her role as Glinda in Wicked inspired her latest vocal adjustments. “I trained every day to transform my voice, even my singing voice,” she said. “I had to deconstruct everything about me to prove I could handle taking on this other person.”
Grande’s dedication to her craft is evident in her commitment to vocal training and method acting. She has worked with an acting coach and a voice coach daily to prepare for her role in Wicked. “I had to completely erase pop star Ari, the person they know so well, because it’s even harder to believe someone as someone else when you’re so branded as one thing,” she explained.
Despite the online chatter, Grande’s fans have shown strong support for her. One fan noted, “Y’all acting like y’all’s voices don’t change in certain spaces and settings. Her interview voice is no different, especially cause singers use it to preserve their vocals.”
Another fan speculated that the voice 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.”
Grande’s brother, Frankie, also expressed his support for her and her boyfriend, Ethan Slater. He recently called Slater a “wonderful guy” and mentioned how happy he is to see his sister so content. “All I want is for my sister to be happy, and when she’s happy, I’m happy,” he said.
Grande and Slater’s relationship appears to be going strong. A source recently told ET that Grande is “genuinely so happy with Ethan” and that their relationship is serious. “Their bond is organic,” the source said. “Ethan treats Ariana super well and knows her so well. It’s not about external stuff with them. They just have a great time together and appreciate their time with each other.”
Earlier this month, Grande and Slater were spotted enjoying a date night at the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Florida. The singer was all smiles next to the 32-year-old actor, further showcasing their strong bond.
As Grande continues to navigate her career and personal life, her fans remain supportive and understanding of her vocal choices. The viral video may have sparked curiosity, but it also highlighted Grande’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to maintaining her vocal health.
