Ariana Grande-Butera, born June 26, 1993, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida, Grande began her career in the 2008 Broadway musical *13*. She rose to prominence for her role as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon television series *Victorious* (2010–2013) and *Sam & Cat* (2013–2014). As her acting career progressed, Grande pursued a musical career, recording songs for the *Victorious* soundtrack. She signed with Republic Records in 2011 after label executives discovered YouTube videos of her covering songs.
Her debut album, *Yours Truly* (2013), was a bubblegum pop and R&B-influenced record and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. Grande achieved mainstream success with her second and third studio albums, *My Everything* (2014) and *Dangerous Woman* (2016), which incorporated elements of EDM, pop, and R&B. *My Everything* spawned the hits "Problem", "Break Free", and "Love Me Harder", solidifying her position as a pop icon. *Dangerous Woman* showcased a more mature and confident artistic persona.
Her subsequent albums, *Sweetener* (2018) and *Thank U, Next* (2019), further explored personal themes and musical experimentation, blending pop, trap, and R&B influences. *Sweetener* addressed themes of resilience and healing following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, while *Thank U, Next* was a cathartic exploration of heartbreak and self-discovery. *Thank U, Next* broke streaming records and became a cultural phenomenon. Her sixth studio album, *Positions* (2020), continued her streak of commercial success, showcasing a more mature and sensual sound. Grande's seventh studio album, *Eternal Sunshine* (2024), further showcases her evolution as an artist, receiving critical acclaim for its vulnerable lyrics and innovative production.
Musically, Grande is known for her wide vocal range, which has been compared to that of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Her music often blends pop, R&B, hip hop, and trap elements, with lyrics addressing themes of love, heartbreak, self-empowerment, and social issues. Her signature whistle register has become a defining characteristic of her vocal style. Grande has won numerous awards throughout her career, including two Grammy Awards, one Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, nine MTV Video Music Awards, and 27 Guinness World Records. She has been recognized as one of the most influential and successful musicians of her generation, using her platform to advocate for social justice issues, including gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and gun control.