You’ve probably seen the neon-colored explosion of joy that is the DreamWorks Trolls franchise. You know the hits. You know Anna Kendrick voices Poppy and Justin Timberlake brings the grumpy-turned-happy Branch to life. But if you search for Ariana Grande in Trolls, you might find yourself falling down a weird internet rabbit hole.
People are convinced she’s a hidden character. Or that she voiced a sparkling pink troll in the first movie. Honestly? It's kind of a Mandela Effect situation.
The truth is both simpler and a little more exclusive than the rumors suggest. Ariana Grande is a massive part of the Trolls universe, but you won't find her name in the main character credits alongside Camila Cabello or Gwen Stefani. She didn't voice a troll. She didn't put on a motion-capture suit.
She just gave the franchise one of its best songs.
The Mystery of "They Don't Know"
In 2016, when the first Trolls movie was gearing up to take over every toddler's birthday party theme for the next decade, Justin Timberlake was the Executive Music Producer. He was pulling in favors from everyone. He got Gwen Stefani. He got James Corden. And he got Ariana.
Basically, Ariana Grande recorded an original track titled "They Don't Know" specifically for the Trolls soundtrack.
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It’s an upbeat, synth-heavy bop that fits perfectly with the bubblegum aesthetic of the film. But here is the kicker: the song isn't actually in the movie. Not in the way "Can't Stop the Feeling!" defines the finale. If you sit through the film waiting for a pink troll with a high ponytail to start riffing, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s a soundtrack-only gem.
Why does everyone think she's a character, then?
Blame the fan art. The internet is littered with "Ariana Grande as a Troll" edits. Some are so good they look official. Fans have spent years manifesting a role for her, even going as far as to "cast" her as a character named Esperanza in fan-fiction wikis. It’s all fake, though. Fun, but fake.
Why the Ariana and Trolls Connection Sticks
There is a reason this specific rumor won't die. Ariana’s brand—especially during her Dangerous Woman and Sweetener eras—overlapped perfectly with the Trolls vibe. High energy. Pastel colors. Incredible vocal range.
Also, let's talk about the voice.
Ariana is a vocal chameleon. Recently, she’s been under fire from internet trolls (the mean human kind, not the cute toy kind) regarding her "changing voice" during the Wicked press tour. People noticed she was speaking in a higher, more "Glinda-like" register. She hit back, explaining that vocal placement is a tool for actors.
This level of vocal control is exactly why people want her in an animated movie. She’s done it before. She voiced Snowflake in Snowflake, the White Gorilla and Laura in Underdogs. She even did a stint as Princess Diaspro in Winx Club.
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But for some reason, the Trolls franchise has remained the "one that got away" for her acting resume.
The Soundtrack Breakdown
If you look at the 2016 Trolls soundtrack, Ariana’s name is right there at track number eight.
- Song Title: "They Don't Know"
- Writer/Producer: Justin Timberlake, Savan Kotecha, Ilya Salmanzadeh
- Vocals: Ariana Grande (Lead), Justin Timberlake (Backing)
It’s a top-tier Ari track that feels like a precursor to her later pop-R&B sound. If you haven't heard it, go listen. It’s better than 90% of most movie tie-in songs.
Will We Ever See an Ariana Troll?
The franchise is still going strong. With Trolls Band Together introducing long-lost brothers and a whole hidden history of boy bands, the door is always open.
Right now, Ariana is busy being Glinda the Good Witch. Wicked has been a massive undertaking, and her focus has clearly shifted toward high-brow musical cinema. But animation is a different beast. It’s often done in short booths between other projects.
Is it possible DreamWorks eventually caves and gives the fans what they want? Maybe.
But for now, the reality of Ariana Grande in Trolls is a single, shimmering pop song and a whole lot of fan-made "what ifs."
Real Steps for Fans
If you’re looking for more Ariana animation content or want to clear up the confusion for your friends, here’s the move:
- Stream the Soundtrack: Look for the 2016 Trolls album on Spotify or Apple Music. Skip to track 8. That is the only official "Ariana in Trolls" content that exists.
- Check Out Her Actual Voice Work: If you want to hear her act in animation, find Underdogs (2015). She plays the lead female role, Laura, and she’s actually great in it.
- Ignore the "Esperanza" Wiki: If you see a Wiki page saying she plays a troll named Esperanza or AJ, check the URL. It’s almost certainly a "fan-fiction" or "ideas" wiki. Don't let the AI-generated images fool you.
The world of Trolls is all about harmony, and while Ariana’s voice fits that harmony perfectly, she remains a ghost in the machine—heard on the album, but never seen on the screen.
Actionable Insight: To verify any celebrity voice role, always cross-reference the official IMDb "Voice" credits with the movie's end-titles. Fan-run wikis often include "dream casts" that appear as factual search results but have no basis in reality. If you want the real Ariana Grande animation experience, her work on Winx Club and Underdogs remains her most substantial contribution to the genre.