If you ask anyone under the age of 25 where Ariana Grande got her start, they’ll probably scream "Victorious!" or "Cat Valentine!" at you. It’s basically common knowledge. We all remember the bright red hair, the high-pitched "What's that supposed to mean?", and the Nickelodeon orange blimp awards.
But lately, there’s been this weird Mandela Effect happening. People keep searching for Ariana Grande in Disney Channel like she was some long-lost Alex Russo sidekick or a guest star on Hannah Montana.
Honestly? She wasn't.
Ariana was the face of the rival network. While Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez were building the House of Mouse, Ariana was busy being the crown jewel of Nickelodeon. It was a total "East Coast vs. West Coast" vibe, but for kids' sitcoms. However, the reason people are so confused isn't just bad memory—it’s because, over the last decade, the lines have blurred so much that she basically became a Disney Princess anyway.
The Nickelodeon Monopoly (And why it confuses us)
To understand why the Ariana Grande in Disney Channel myth persists, you have to look at the 2010s. Ariana played Cat Valentine on Victorious from 2010 to 2013, then hopped over to the spin-off Sam & Cat. That was her life. She was a Nick girl through and through.
So, why do we keep thinking she was on Disney?
✨ Don't miss: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
Well, for one, she’s performed at the Radio Disney Music Awards more times than most actual Disney stars. In 2014, she performed "Problem" there, which was basically her "I'm a grown-up pop star now" debut. When you see someone on the Disney stage with the Mickey ears logo in the corner of the screen, your brain just files them under "Disney."
Also, her aesthetic back then was very "Disney-coded." The polka dots, the headbands, the sweetheart necklines—she fit the mold perfectly. If you weren't paying attention to the logo in the corner of the TV, she looked exactly like a Sonny with a Chance guest star.
When Ariana actually did go Disney
While she never had a series on the channel, she’s had some massive "official" Disney moments.
The Disney Family Singalong (2020): This is probably the biggest culprit. During the pandemic, Ari did a home-recorded version of "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" from Hercules. It went viral. Like, "15 million views on YouTube" viral. She played every single Muse herself using split-screen. It was so good that fans started a massive petition to get her cast as Megara in the live-action remake.
Beauty and the Beast (2017): She sang the title track for the live-action movie with John Legend. You can’t get more "Disney" than singing the theme for one of their biggest Renaissance remakes.
🔗 Read more: Why Love Island Season 7 Episode 23 Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
A Snow White Christmas (2012): This one is a deep cut. Ariana actually played Snow White in a theater production at the Pasadena Playhouse. It wasn't a Disney-owned play (it was a British-style "Panto"), but she was wearing the classic blue, red, and yellow dress. If you saw a photo of her in that costume on Pinterest in 2012, you'd bet your life she was filming a Disney Channel Original Movie.
The "Megara" Rumors and the Future
The internet is currently convinced that Disney is just waiting for the right moment to announce her as Megara in the Hercules live-action film.
It’s the ultimate fan-cast.
Even though Ari has joked that her best friend and Victorious co-star Elizabeth Gillies would be a better fit, the Disney connection is now unavoidable. She’s moved from the Nickelodeon "kid star" box into the "Global Icon" box, which, in 2026, means she's basically an honorary member of every major franchise.
Why the distinction actually matters
Nickelodeon and Disney Channel used to have very different vibes. Disney was "polished." Nickelodeon was "weird." Victorious had a chaotic, surrealist energy that Disney shows like Austin & Ally just didn't have.
💡 You might also like: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
By staying on Nickelodeon, Ariana was allowed to be a bit more of a "character." Cat Valentine was weirdly dark at times—constantly talking about her eccentric brother or fainting for no reason. That "weirdness" is part of what made her so meme-able and helped her transition into a pop career that felt a little more "alt" than the typical Disney star.
Actionable Insights for the "Ari-Curious"
If you're trying to track down her "Disney" work, don't look for episodes of Wizards of Waverly Place. You won't find them. Instead, do this:
- Watch the Hercules Singalong: It’s the closest we’ve ever gotten to a full Disney performance from her.
- Check the Soundtracks: She’s on the Beauty and the Beast (2017) soundtrack and did "Zero to Hero" for the We Love Disney compilation album.
- Differentiate the Eras: If her hair is bright red, it's Nickelodeon. If it's a high ponytail and brown/blonde, it's the music era where she started collaborating with Disney projects.
Basically, the Ariana Grande in Disney Channel "crossover" happened in our hearts, not on the production schedule. She conquered the music world so thoroughly that Disney eventually had to invite her over anyway.
If you want to see her in a massive musical production right now, your best bet is watching her as Glinda in Wicked. It’s not Disney, but it’s the peak of the "theater kid to superstar" pipeline she started back on the Nick stage.
For those keeping track of her filmography, stick to her actual credits like Scream Queens or Don't Look Up to see her acting range beyond the sitcom world.