Ariana Grande: From pop princess to Oscar star amid Covid-19 crisis

Ariana Grande – the pop singer who dominated the decade, entered the cinema with Wicked. Just as Wicked: For Good was about to be released, she suddenly contracted Covid-19, causing fans to worry and pay more attention to her ups and downs journey.

Ariana Grande is not only a brilliant singer, she has also been a cultural icon for the younger generation for over a decade. Starting as a child actress at Nickelodeon, Ariana gradually built her own pop empire before unexpectedly turning to cinema with the role of Glinda in Wicked. By early 2025, the name Ariana Grande was once again covering the globe – but this time, not only thanks to her hits, but also thanks to a prestigious Oscar nomination marking her remarkable maturity.

From Nickelodeon girl to "pop princess"

Born in 1993 in Florida, Ariana Grande got her start in the arts through local musicals. Early in her career, she gained attention for her roles as Cat Valentine in Victorious and Sam & Cat – popular Nickelodeon series. These roles helped Ariana showcase her soaring voice and sweet demeanor.

Unlike many teenage actors who struggled to transition to music, Ariana exploded with her debut album Yours Truly (2013). However, it wasn't until Dangerous Woman (2016), Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019) that Ariana truly rose to the top of the world pop music scene. She has had a series of billion-view hits such as No Tears Left to Cry, God Is A Woman, 7 Rings and Positions, making her name a new generation diva.

Her clear soprano voice, whistle tone ability, and modern R&B style make Ariana an artist with a profound influence on the Gen Z music listening generation.

Pain, scandal and rebirth

Behind the spotlight are the losses that have made Ariana more mature. In 2017, the bombing at a Manchester concert that killed 22 people left a huge shock, forcing her to take a break to treat PTSD.

Ariana's love life has also been turbulent. Her relationship with Mac Miller, then the rapper's sudden death, sent her into a deep depression. The album Thank U, Next was born as a way to heal herself, with rare honesty and courage.

Ariana married Dalton Gomez in 2021 but split in 2023, before going public with her relationship with co-star Ethan Slater. Her personal scandals have made her the focus of social media attention, but they have also contributed to making Ariana more mature, resilient, and experienced in the arts.

Wicked: The project that changed my entire career

Ariana's passion for Broadway has been long-standing, so when director Jon M. Chu announced the adaptation of Wicked, she immediately became a leading candidate for the role of Glinda. However, despite being an international pop star, Ariana still had to go through the same rigorous casting process as any other actress.

Before landing the role, Ariana spent months practicing: practicing her voice, practicing her Glinda demeanor, learning how to maintain her voice and the character's signature expressions. Backstage, she was noted for arriving early, diligently practicing each line and each song so as not to be compared to the legendary Kristin Chenoweth.

When the first part of Wicked was released in 2024, critics were surprised by Ariana's natural and deep acting ability. This was a milestone that helped her transcend the title of "singer crossing over" to become a real movie actress.

On the podcast Shut Up Evan, Ariana confided that there was a time when she almost lost her musical inspiration, even thinking about taking a long break. It was Glinda that sparked a new creative energy in her. "I don't make music because I have to anymore. I write because I'm happy," Ariana shared.

The album Eternal Sunshine released in 2024 is a clear proof of that rebirth, bringing in many compliments and a convincing Grammy race.

Oscar nomination 2025 – career-defining moment

For her role as Glinda, Ariana Grande received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, competing with many veteran stars such as Felicity Jones or Isabella Rossellini. This is an important milestone, putting Ariana in a rare group of successful singers who have turned to cinema, following in the footsteps of Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga or Cher.

An Oscar nomination is more than just a title, it's a strong affirmation that Ariana Grande has transcended the confines of a pop star to become a recognized multi-disciplinary artist.

The peak met with an incident: Covid infection in the middle of a global promotional tour

In February 2025, as Wicked: For Good was about to mark a new milestone, Ariana suddenly announced that she had tested positive for Covid-19. This news made the fan community worried, because she was in the midst of a busy global promotional schedule — an important campaign for the biggest film of her career.

Covid not only forced Ariana to cancel a series of major events in New York, but also raised concerns about the impact on her voice – her most valuable asset. This is also not the first time Covid has disrupted the Wicked project; in part 1, both Ariana and Cynthia Erivo had to postpone filming schedules due to the virus.

This incident has made fans even more restless as Ariana was forced to be absent from Brazil – a place that was controversial for suddenly canceling her schedule due to travel problems. However, the crew representative said that Ariana's health is stable and she will return as soon as she has fully recovered.

An all-round artist rewriting his career trajectory

Ariana Grande is one of the rare artists who has dominated popular music while also proving her acting skills to be recognized by Hollywood. The diversity in her artistic path is not just about "crossing over" but the way she seriously rebuilds herself in each field.

In 2025, with Wicked: For Good about to be released and the Oscars just around the corner, Ariana Grande is at the most important crossroads of her career. This is no longer the journey of a mere "pop princess", but the powerful transformation of an artist who is rewriting her own career destiny - with talent, with determination and with maturity after countless events.

Ariana is proving that she is not a one-hit wonder, but a multifaceted Hollywood star who can shape trends, inspire and break out of the mold that the public once placed on her. With music, film and pop culture all under her influence, Ariana Grande is entering her most brilliant era – where she not only shines, but also redefines herself on the world art map.