You know that thing where two people are so talented it almost feels like they should be rivals? Like, the universe can’t possibly handle that much vocal power in one room without some kind of ego explosion. Well, Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson basically took that trope and threw it out the window.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In an industry that often tries to pit women against each other for "diva" narratives, these two have spent the last few years basically being each other's biggest hype women. It’s not just for the cameras, either. If you’ve watched them interact on The Voice or during Kelly’s talk show, there’s this weirdly wholesome, nerdy energy between them that feels very "theater kids who made it big."
The Voice Season 21: Where it all actually started
A lot of people think they were friends forever, but they didn’t really know each other until Season 21 of The Voice in 2021. Kelly admitted on The Tonight Show that while they’d crossed paths at events, they hadn't actually hung out. She was kind of shocked by how funny Ariana is. "She’s hysterical," Kelly told Jimmy Fallon.
Ariana, for her part, was visibly nervous to be sitting next to the "Original Idol." She’s called Kelly the "best singer in the world" more times than I can count. During the blind auditions, you could see Ari leaning over to ask Kelly for advice on how to handle the "Steal" button or how to manage the intense schedule.
There was this one specific moment during the Battle Rounds where Ariana was so stressed about having to cut one of her singers that she jokingly said she was ready to quit and go home. Kelly, the seasoned pro who’s been doing this since 2002, just laughed and talked her through the "gut over heart" decision-making process. It was like watching a big sister show the ropes to someone who’s already a superstar in her own right.
That "Santa, Can’t You Hear Me" duet is a vocal masterclass
If you haven’t listened to their holiday duet, stop what you’re doing. Most Christmas songs are meant to be background music for drinking cocoa. Not this one. "Santa, Can’t You Hear Me" is basically an Olympic sport for singers.
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It’s an uptempo, big-band pop anthem that Kelly wrote with Aben Eubanks. It originally appeared on her 2021 album When Christmas Comes Around... and it’s become a staple every December since.
- The Blend: Their voices shouldn't necessarily work together on paper. Kelly has that "edgy alto" power with a lot of weight, and Ariana has that "flitting, breezy" soprano that hits whistle notes like it's nothing.
- The Live Performance: They performed it live during Kelly’s NBC holiday special. No lip-syncing. Just two women standing at mics, trading runs that would make most people’s vocal cords snap.
- The Chart Impact: The song has consistently charted every year since its release. In the 2024-2025 holiday season, it hit the Global 200 again, peaking in the top 30 in countries like Ireland and Austria. It’s officially joined the "modern classic" tier of Christmas music.
Kellyoke and the Ariana Grande cover catalog
Kelly Clarkson’s "Kellyoke" segment is where she proves she can sing literally anything. And she covers Ariana a lot.
She’s done "7 Rings," "God Is a Woman," and most recently, a hauntingly good version of "We Can’t Be Friends (wait for your love)." When Kelly covers Ari, she usually strips away the trap beats and turns them into these soulful, rock-leaning ballads.
Ariana’s reaction to these covers is always the same: she loses it. She’s posted on her Instagram stories about how Kelly’s voice is "otherworldly." It’s a nice change of pace from the 90s era of pop stars where everyone was "perfectly fine" with their peers but never actually praised them this loudly.
The Wicked Press Tour and that "Cold Set" story
Fast forward to late 2024 and early 2025. Ariana was everywhere promoting Wicked. When she showed up on The Kelly Clarkson Show with Cynthia Erivo, the vibe was totally different than a standard talk show interview. It felt like a reunion.
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Ariana shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story from their time on The Voice. Apparently, the set of The Voice is usually kept at "meat locker" temperatures to keep the equipment from overheating. But Ariana was in the middle of her secret auditions for the role of Glinda at the time. She begged the producers to turn the AC off because she was terrified of her vocal cords tightening up before her big audition.
Kelly’s reaction? "I was wondering why I was sweating so much that day!"
It’s those little human moments that make people love them. They aren't trying to be "icons" 24/7; they’re just talking about humidity and vocal health.
Why this matters for the industry
The Ariana/Kelly friendship is actually a blueprint for how E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) works in the music world. They aren't just celebrities; they are vocal technicians.
When they talk to each other, they’re discussing things like:
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- Vocal placement and how to protect the "mix."
- The struggle of singing live on film sets (Ariana and Cynthia Erivo famously sang live for Wicked).
- How to navigate the transition from "pop star" to "artist with longevity."
Kelly has been in the game for over 20 years. Ariana is over a decade in. By supporting each other, they’re basically telling the industry that there’s plenty of room at the top.
What to watch next
If you're a fan of either (or both), there are a few things you should actually check out to see this dynamic in action:
- Watch the "That’s My Jam" Medley: Kelly and Ariana went head-to-head in a "Mixtape Medley" on Jimmy Fallon’s game show. It’s basically 5 minutes of them effortlessly switching between Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Cher.
- Listen to the "Santa, Can’t You Hear Me" Live Version: The live recording from the NBC special is actually better than the studio version. The ad-libs at the end are different every time.
- Track the 2026 Grammy Nods: Both have been active recently (Ariana with Eternal Sunshine and Kelly with her ongoing residency and talk show performances). There’s a high chance they’ll be crossing paths on the awards circuit again this year.
The take-home here is pretty simple. You don't have to choose a "side." You can just appreciate the fact that two of the greatest singers of our generation actually like each other. It makes the music better, the shows funnier, and the holiday season a lot louder.
Next Step for You: Go back and watch the Season 21 premiere of The Voice. Pay attention to the first time Ariana walks on set—Kelly’s face says everything you need to know about the respect they have for one another. Then, add the live version of their duet to your "Vocal Powerhouse" playlist. You won't regret it.