If you look at a photo of Ariana Grande from 2010 next to one from late 2025, you might think you’re looking at two different people. Or at least two different souls. It isn’t just the hair or the famous ponytail that finally took a backseat. It’s the energy.
Honestly, the transformation is wild.
We all remember the Nickelodeon days. Red hair, a voice that was clearly too big for a sitcom, and that bubbly, slightly frantic "Cat Valentine" energy. Fast forward to 2026, and Ariana is essentially the reigning queen of a different kind of castle. She’s no longer just the girl who can hit a high C; she’s a seasoned film actress with an Oscar-contested performance under her belt and a beauty mogul who actually understands the "science" of her products.
The Nickelodeon Era: Red Hair and Growing Pains
The beginning feels like a lifetime ago. In 2010, Grande was the sidekick on Victorious. Her hair was dyed bright red every other week—a process she’s since admitted totally trashed her natural locks. Back then, the world saw her as a "teen star."
But the "then" wasn't just about the hair. It was about a girl trying to find a voice that didn't belong to a character. When she released "Put Your Hearts Up" in 2011, she looked like a bubblegum princess. She’s famously cringed at that song since, calling it "inauthentic." You can hear the struggle in those early years: the industry wanted a teen idol, but Ariana wanted to be Mariah.
From "Yours Truly" to the "Thank U, Next" Whirlwind
By 2013, the red hair was fading, and the 60s-inspired R&B of Yours Truly was in. This was the moment the "Ariana Grande Then and Now" conversation really started. She proved she wasn't just another TV kid. She had pipes.
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The years that followed were a blur of massive success and deep, public trauma. The Manchester bombing in 2017 changed her forever. You could see it in her style—the shift from cat ears and mini skirts to the oversized hoodies and thigh-high boots of the Sweetener and Thank U, Next era. She was hiding and healing in plain sight.
- 2014: The "Problem" era. High ponytails and go-go boots.
- 2018: The Met Gala debut. Vera Wang and Sistine Chapel prints.
- 2019: The year of the "7 Rings" dominance and the peak of her "Pop Princess" title.
The Wicked Pivot: Becoming Glinda
If you want to understand Ariana Grande then and now, you have to look at the Wicked years. Starting around 2022, Ariana basically disappeared into the land of Oz. She didn’t just play Glinda the Good Witch; she lived her.
She spent five and a half years working on the two-part film saga (Wicked in 2024 and Wicked: For Good in late 2025). This wasn't just a career move. It was a vocal and physical overhaul. She retrained her voice to handle operatic theater, moving away from the "whisper-pop" style people criticized her for in the past.
At the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, she didn't look like a pop star. She looked like a classic Hollywood leading lady. The Alberta Ferretti gowns have replaced the streetwear. The tan is softer. The eyebrows are lifted and light. It’s a "clean" aesthetic that reflects a 32-year-old woman who has survived the meat grinder of child stardom and come out the other side.
Why 2026 is Her Biggest Career Shift Yet
People keep asking if she's done with music.
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Short answer: No. But the "how" has changed.
In late 2025, Ariana confirmed a major pivot. She told Marie Claire that while she'll always love pop, her "soul" is currently in theater and comedy. She’s chasing things that feel "authentic" rather than just chasing the Billboard Hot 100. This is a huge departure from the girl who released two massive albums (Sweetener and Thank U, Next) in less than six months back in 2018-2019.
The R.E.M. Beauty Empire
Then there’s the business side. Most celebrity makeup lines fail within three years. Ariana’s R.E.M. Beauty is currently valued at over $500 million.
She isn't just a face on the box. In 2025, she brought on André Branch (formerly of MAC) as CEO to scale the brand globally. While "then" Ariana was busy with world tours, "now" Ariana is in lab meetings discussing "crystal-like pigments" for her Dreamglow Collection.
Facts You Might Have Missed
- Vocal Evolution: She spent years training with vocal coaches to reach a "legit" soprano range for Wicked, which is why her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine sounds so much more technically refined than her early work.
- Relationship Status: After a highly publicized divorce from Dalton Gomez, she has been in a long-term relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater. They’ve been spotted looking low-key at various 2025 premieres.
- Chart History: With the release of "Yes, And?" and "We Can't Be Friends," she became the first woman to have two albums produce multiple number-one debuts.
The Difference in the "Look"
Let's be real: the physical change is what gets people talking on TikTok.
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The "then" look was heavy lashes, tan skin, and that rigid, thick ponytail. It was a silhouette. It was a brand.
The "now" look is almost ethereal. It's "Glinda-fied." She’s opted for a much more natural, "low-makeup" look (ironic for someone with a makeup line, but it works). She’s leaned into her natural features, and honestly, she looks healthier and more at peace than she did during the Positions era.
What This Means for You
Watching Ariana’s evolution isn't just about celebrity gossip. It’s a masterclass in rebranding and personal growth. She taught a generation that it’s okay to:
- Change your mind about what you want to do (moving from pop to theater).
- Take up space in rooms where people only want you to "shut up and sing" (the business world).
- Heal publicly without being perfect.
If you’re looking to channel some of that "Eternal Sunshine" energy in your own life, start by looking at where you’re being inauthentic. Ariana’s biggest successes—both in her bank account and her personal happiness—came when she stopped trying to be the "Cat Valentine" everyone expected.
Your Next Steps for Following the "New" Ariana:
- Listen to the Wicked Soundtrack: Don't just skip to the hits. Listen to the technical control in "Popular" and "Defying Gravity." It’s a completely different beast than "7 Rings."
- Check out R.E.M. Beauty at Ulta: If you haven't tried the Sweetener Concealer, you're missing out. It’s one of the few celebrity products that professional makeup artists actually use on set.
- Watch her 2024 SNL performances: This was the turning point where the general public realized she wasn't just a singer, but a world-class impressionist and comedian.
The "then" Ariana was a star. The "now" Ariana is an icon. And at 32, she’s really just getting started.