Music fans love a good "behind-the-scenes" genius story, but the one involving Victoria Monét and Ariana Grande is usually told all wrong. People tend to treat them like a classic mentor-student vibe or, worse, like Monét was just a ghostwriter in the shadows. Honestly? It's way more interesting than that. It’s a 15-year-long masterclass in creative soulmates who basically rebuilt the sound of modern pop from a living room floor.
They didn't meet at a glitzy industry party. They met back in 2011 when Ariana was still a Nickelodeon star on Victorious. Victoria and her production partner Tommy Brown were some of the first people to take Ari seriously as a vocalist before the "problem" ponytail ever existed.
Why the Victoria Monét and Ariana Grande Dynamic Actually Works
Most people don't realize how deep the catalog goes. Victoria has credits on literally every single Ariana album from Yours Truly in 2013 through Positions in 2020. We aren't just talking about a couple of B-sides. We're talking about the cultural reset that was "thank u, next" and the trap-pop perfection of "7 rings."
If you listen to Victoria’s solo work—especially the Jaguar era—you can hear the DNA. The heavy vocal layering? The whisper-sweet harmonies? That’s the "Victoria sauce." Ariana has even admitted that Victoria is her "cheat code." They have this shorthand that only happens when you’ve spent thousands of hours in a booth together.
It’s not just work, though. Remember the "7 rings" story? Ariana famously bought matching Tiffany rings for six of her best friends. Victoria was one of them. In a 2024 interview with People, Victoria revealed she actually has two of the rings because she thought she lost the first one, felt devastated, and Ariana just bought her another one. Then she found the original. Now she wears them stacked. That's real-life friendship, not just a business contract.
👉 See also: Noah Schnapp: Why the Stranger Things Star is Making Everyone Talk Right Now
The "Blaccent" Controversy and Mutual Influence
You can't talk about Victoria Monét and Ariana Grande without addressing the elephant in the room. For years, critics on TikTok and Reddit have debated whether Ariana "borrowed" too much of Victoria’s persona—specifically her cadences and speaking style.
Some fans call it appreciation; others call it a "blaccent."
The truth is probably more nuanced. When you spend every waking second with a best friend, you start sounding like them. You pick up their slang. You mimic their rhythm. Since Victoria is a Black woman from Sacramento with deep R&B roots, that influence naturally bled into Ariana’s work. Victoria has always been protective of Ari in interviews, usually laughing off the drama and focusing on the art. But it’s a valid conversation about where collaboration ends and appropriation begins, even if the two women are tight.
A Breakdown of Their Biggest Hits
If you want to understand their impact, look at these specific tracks. They changed the radio landscape:
✨ Don't miss: Nina Yankovic Explained: What Weird Al’s Daughter Is Doing Now
- "7 rings": This wasn't just a song; it was a manifest. Victoria helped flip "My Favorite Things" into a flex anthem.
- "thank u, next": Written in a blur of champagne and heartbreak. Victoria was there to help Ariana turn her public trauma into a polite "bye."
- "Monopoly": This is the ultimate friendship track. "I'm so thankful working with my best friend, she the cheat code." It’s basically their mission statement.
- "34+35": Proving they can do raunchy humor just as well as heartbreak.
What Changed in 2024 and 2025?
For a minute there, people thought they’d had a falling out. Ariana was in London filming Wicked for years. Victoria was finally having her massive solo breakout with Jaguar II and "On My Mama."
People love to invent beef when two women stop posting selfies together every day.
But the "breakup" rumors were killed at the 2024 Grammys. When Victoria won Best New Artist, Ariana posted a massive, emotional tribute on Instagram, saying she’d been waiting for this moment since their "tour bus sleepovers." Then, in late 2024, they were spotted together at the Wicked premiere.
Victoria has transitioned from being the "secret weapon" to a superstar in her own right. This changed the power dynamic, but seemingly for the better. They aren't "employer and employee" anymore. They are two titans of the industry who happen to know each other's deepest secrets.
🔗 Read more: Nicole Young and Dr. Dre: What Really Happened Behind the $100 Million Split
The Future of the Duo
So, what’s next? Fans are dying for a full collaborative album. While there's no official date, Victoria has mentioned she "can't wait" to get back into the studio with Ari now that the Wicked press tour has died down.
If you're looking to dive deeper into this connection, stop just listening to the hits. Go back and listen to "Better Days," the song they released together in 2016 after the Philando Castile and Alton Sterling shootings. It shows a much more serious, socially conscious side of their partnership that often gets overlooked in favor of the "7 rings" glitz.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Creators:
- Listen to Jaguar II: If you love Ariana's Positions album, you will hear the blueprints in Victoria’s solo work.
- Check the Credits: Use sites like Genius or Tidal to look at the "Written By" section of your favorite pop songs. You'd be surprised how many tracks by other artists (like Fifth Harmony or Chloe x Halle) also feature Monét’s pen.
- Study the Vocal Arranging: If you're a singer, pay attention to the "stacking." They often layer 20+ vocal tracks to get that "cloud-like" sound. It's a specific technique they perfected together.
The relationship between Victoria Monét and Ariana Grande is a reminder that the best music usually comes from real-life connection. It's not about "using" someone for their talent; it's about two people pushing each other to be better than they could be alone. Keep an eye on the 2026 charts—chances are, they'll be back in the studio together sooner than you think.