You’ve seen it. Everywhere. Whether she’s gliding across a red carpet in a cloud-like Giambattista Valli gown or posting a grainy, candlelit selfie on Instagram, Ariana Grande has a look. It’s not just the high ponytail or the winged liner anymore. It’s that specific, slightly dazed, mouth-open expression.
Some fans call it the "baby doll" look. Critics on Reddit threads have poked fun at it for years, wondering if she ever breathes through her nose. But if you look closer, the ariana grande mouth open phenomenon isn’t just a random habit or a "botched" result like some gossip blogs claim. It’s a mix of professional vocal mechanics, strategic branding, and a dash of red-carpet psychology.
Honestly, it’s kinda brilliant when you break it down.
The "Gospel Jaw" and Vocal Health
Most people forget that Ariana is, first and foremost, a technical powerhouse. She’s not just a pop star; she’s a theater kid who grew up to have one of the most disciplined voices in the industry.
If you watch her closely during live performances—especially when she’s hitting those light-speed riffs or descending from a whistle note—her jaw is rarely "closed" or tight. Singers often refer to this as a "slack jaw" or "gospel jaw."
Keeping the mouth slightly open and the jaw relaxed is a literal requirement for the resonance she needs. If she clenched her teeth like a normal person posing for a school photo, she’d lose that signature breathy, flute-like tone. Over time, that "ready-to-sing" facial posture has simply bled into her resting face. When you spend fifteen years training your muscles to stay loose for a high E-flat, they don’t just snap back to a tight-lipped smile the second the camera flashes.
It’s about air. It’s about space. Basically, her face is always in "performance mode" because her instrument requires it.
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Why the "Ariana Grande Mouth Open" Look Is a Branding Masterclass
Celebrity branding is about being recognizable from a mile away. You should be able to see a silhouette of a person and know exactly who it is. For Ari, that used to be the ponytail. Now, it's the "Glinda-fication" of her entire aesthetic—soft, airy, and ethereal.
The open-mouthed look creates a specific "vibe":
- The "Candid" Illusion: A closed-mouth smile can look rehearsed. A slightly open mouth looks like you were caught mid-sentence or mid-thought. It feels more intimate, like a "behind the scenes" moment even when it’s 100% staged.
- Facial Elongation: From a purely photographic standpoint, dropping the jaw elongates the face. It sharpens the jawline and makes the chin appear more defined.
- The "Bunny Teeth" Factor: Ariana has talked about her slightly prominent front teeth before. Instead of hiding them with a tight lip, she leans into it. It’s part of that "bunny" aesthetic her fans (Arianators) have obsessed over since the My Everything era.
Addressing the Plastic Surgery Rumors
We have to talk about it because the internet won't stop. Anytime a celebrity’s face changes, the "botched" comments start flying. Some TikTok "experts" claim the ariana grande mouth open look is the result of a permanent lip lift or a brow lift that pulled the skin too tight.
While Ariana has been refreshingly honest lately—admitting in a Vogue "Beauty Secrets" video that she’s had "a ton of lip filler over the years and Botox" but stopped in 2018 because it felt like "hiding"—she hasn't confirmed any major structural surgeries that would prevent her from closing her mouth.
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The reality? It’s probably simpler. When you get filler, your lips have more volume. When you have more volume, your "resting" position changes. Add to that her recent weight loss and the way her facial structure has become more prominent, and suddenly, a pose she’s always done looks more dramatic than it did in 2014.
The Psychology of the Red Carpet
Have you ever tried to smile for a hundred cameras for two hours straight? Your face literally starts to twitch.
Professional photographers often tell models to "breathe through the mouth" or "separate the lips." It relaxes the muscles around the eyes and prevents that "strained" look. For someone like Ariana, who has dealt with public anxiety for years, this isn't just a pose; it's a physical way to stay relaxed under pressure.
At the 2026 Golden Globes, we saw a slight shift. She brought back the brunette "party pony," but the expression remained. It’s her comfort zone. It’s her "mask." And honestly, it works for her.
How to Pull Off the Look (Without Looking Weird)
If you’re trying to emulate the "Ari" aesthetic in your own photos, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. You don't want to look like you're catching flies.
1. The "Tongue to Roof" Trick
Instead of just hanging your mouth open, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth behind your front teeth. This lifts the jawline and keeps the "open" look from looking messy.
2. Focus on the Eyes
The reason it works for her is that her eyes stay "on." If you open your mouth but your eyes go blank, you’ll just look tired.
3. Soften the Lips
Don't pout. Don't pucker. Just let the lower jaw drop about half an inch. It should feel like you’re about to say the letter "O."
The ariana grande mouth open look isn't going anywhere. It’s become as much a part of her DNA as the oversized hoodies and the whistle notes. Whether it’s a result of vocal training, a tactical choice for the camera, or just how she feels most "her," it’s a lesson in owning a signature style—even if the internet has a lot to say about it.
To really nail the aesthetic, focus on keeping your facial muscles relaxed rather than forcing a specific shape. Start by practicing in a mirror to find the "drop" that feels most natural for your face shape, then pair it with upward-angled photography to mimic that classic red-carpet silhouette.