Hollywood friendships are usually pretty predictable. You see the same people at the same parties, wearing the same designers, and saying the same PR-curated things about their "soul sisters." But the bond between Ariana Grande and Jennifer Coolidge is different. It’s weirder. It’s more sincere.
Honestly, it might be the only reason we have The White Lotus today.
Think about it. Before 2018, Jennifer Coolidge was mostly a "where are they now?" memory for people who grew up on American Pie and Legally Blonde. She’s hilarious, sure, but she wasn't exactly the hottest name in the industry. Then, a pop star with a high ponytail and a knack for mimicry went on a late-night talk show and changed everything.
The Impression That Started It All
It’s funny how a random moment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon can alter the course of a person's life. Ariana Grande sat there and did this spookily accurate impression of Coolidge’s character, Paulette Bonafonté. She nailed the breathy voice. The "bend and snap." The look of perpetual confusion mixed with sudden, intense enthusiasm.
People loved it. It went viral before "going viral" was a tired phrase.
But the real magic happened behind the scenes. Jennifer Coolidge actually saw it. She didn't think it was an insult; she thought it was brilliant. In fact, she later admitted she was in a bit of a "dead zone" career-wise. She wasn't getting the calls. She wasn't feeling the love.
A friend of hers, who happened to be around Ariana’s age, told her she should reach out. Jennifer was skeptical. She literally thought Ariana's 260 million followers were "robots" and that a DM would just disappear into a digital void.
She sent it anyway. Ariana replied.
Next thing you know, Jennifer is at Ariana’s house getting fitted for a wardrobe. She wasn't just a guest; she was the centerpiece of the "Thank U, Next" music video, reprising her role as the manicurist from Legally Blonde.
Why the "Thank U, Next" Video Mattered
That music video was a cultural reset. It wasn't just a song about exes; it was a high-budget homage to 2000s chick flicks. Seeing Ariana and Jennifer together, doing the "bend and snap," did something to the collective consciousness of the internet.
It reminded everyone that Jennifer Coolidge is a treasure.
Jennifer has been very vocal about this. She credits Ariana as the "instigator" of her career resurgence. Shortly after that video, the roles started coming back. Promising Young Woman. The White Lotus. The Emmys. The Golden Globes.
She told Ariana during an interview for Entertainment Weekly, "I think if you hadn't put me in 'Thank U, Next,' and done that imitation... I don't think I would be here where I am."
That's a heavy statement. It’s rare to see an industry veteran give so much credit to a younger star, but that’s the kind of relationship they have. It’s built on genuine mutual respect rather than a transactional "collab."
When Jennifer Met Glinda
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025. Ariana is deep in her Wicked era. She’s playing Glinda the Good Witch, a role she’s dreamed of since she was a kid. Who do you think was there to support her?
At the Palm Springs International Film Festival in early 2025, Jennifer Coolidge was the one to present Ariana with the Rising Star Award.
It was a full-circle moment.
Jennifer, in her typical style, joked about the title of the award. "Hasn't Ariana already risen?" she asked the crowd. She’s not wrong. But seeing them on stage together—this time with Jennifer honoring Ariana—felt like the perfect payback for that 2018 boost.
Ariana was visibly emotional. She called Jennifer a "lifelong hero." She thanked her for "coming all this way." You could tell it wasn't just awards-season fluff. Ariana really views her as a mentor, or as Jennifer puts it, a "very old person in a very young body."
The SNL Mirror Sketch
If you want to see how deep the "Coolidge-ism" goes in Ariana’s brain, you have to watch the Saturday Night Live sketch from October 2024.
Ariana hosted, and obviously, they had to do a Jennifer Coolidge bit. But they didn't just do a standard impression. They did a Maybelline commercial parody where Chloe Fineman (who is also an incredible impressionist) played Jennifer, and Ariana played her reflection in the mirror.
It was chaos.
They were both wearing pink, both had the massive blonde hair, and both were doing the "wow" voice. They nearly broke character five or six times. At one point, Dana Carvey showed up as a third Jennifer Coolidge who had been "trapped in the mirror for years."
The sketch became the 4th most-watched of the entire SNL Season 50. Why? Because people love seeing Ariana's genuine joy when she’s "being" Jennifer. She snorted. She giggled. She looked like she was having the time of her life.
Why This Friendship Still Matters in 2026
We’re now in 2026, and the "Ariana Grande Jennifer Coolidge" phenomenon hasn't faded. If anything, it’s become a blueprint for how different generations of Hollywood can actually support each other.
It’s not just about the memes. It’s about the fact that:
- Ariana used her massive platform to spotlight an icon who was being overlooked.
- Jennifer had the humility to reach out and thank a younger artist.
- They’ve maintained a friendship that survives through movie sets (Wicked) and world tours.
There was even talk on a podcast recently about Jennifer doing voiceovers for Ariana’s Eternal Sunshine tracks. Ariana mentioned wanting a "dramatic reading" of The Boy Is Mine. Can you imagine? It would be iconic.
How to Support Your Favorite Artists Like They Do
If we can take anything away from this duo, it’s that gatekeeping helps no one. Ariana could have just done the impression and moved on. Jennifer could have been "too cool" to DM a pop star.
Instead, they leaned in.
If you’re a creator or just a fan, here are some ways to channel that Grande-Coolidge energy:
- Publicly credit your inspirations. Don't just mimic; mention names.
- Don't fear the DM. If someone's work moves you, tell them. You might end up in a music video.
- Support the "comeback." The industry loves new things, but the "vets" have the craft. Look for the Jennifer Coolidges in your own field.
The bond between these two proves that Hollywood doesn't always have to be a cutthroat competition. Sometimes, it’s just two women in pink robes, laughing about lemons and "liquid lip-long lip" gloss, changing each other's lives in the process.
To see more of their chemistry, keep an eye on the Wicked: Part Two press junkets later this year. There’s almost certainly going to be another moment where Jennifer crashes an interview, or Ariana breaks into that signature breathy "wow" one more time.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Maybelline SNL Sketch (Season 50, Episode 3) to see the most recent collaboration.
- Revisit the "Thank U, Next" music video to see the moment that revitalized Jennifer's career.
- Check out Jennifer Coolidge's acceptance speeches from the 2023-2024 awards season for her shoutouts to Ariana.