An actress, pop star and entrepreneur, Ariana Grande is unstoppable. With a once-in-a-generation voice and chart-topping hits, Grande has become one of the most influential artists of her generation. Since her start on Nickelodeon, Grande has won two Grammys, launched a successful business and starred in one of the most successful films of 2024.
Grande has continually grown and shown her vast creative abilities. Now, for the first time in nearly seven years, the “thank u, next” singer will step back on stage in 2026, performing 26 shows across North America and the UK. Her long-awaited return will promise fans who have stood by her every step of the way an unforgettable experience.
Where has she been?
Since her Sweetener World Tour in 2019, Ariana Grande has taken a step back from being a pop star, shifting her focus toward acting and other creative avenues. While she has continued to release music, her public presence as a pop star has been less prominent, devoting more time outside the recording studio to acting. Over the past six years, she has appeared in three major films: “Don’t Look Up” (2021), “Wicked” (2024) and “Wicked: For Good,” which will be released this November.
Grande has also begun to flourish in the business world, launching her beauty brand, r.e.m. beauty, in 2021, which offers a range of vegan and cruelty-free products inspired by her signature looks. The brand has been well-received, earning her the Cosmopolitan Reader’s Choice Award for the Best Celebrity Beauty Brand in 2023. Grande also has a fragrance brand, Ariana Grande Fragrances, which includes several best-selling products such as “Cloud” and “thank u, next.” Grande has truly built a massive empire by expanding her career beyond the entertainment industry.
Her biggest hits
“The Way” (feat. Mac Miller)
- With her debut single, “The Way,” Grande introduced the world to her powerhouse vocals and impressive range. Featured on her debut album, “Yours Truly,” this catchy anthem became a fan favorite and solidified her place in the pop music world. Now certified six-time Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, the song remains a nostalgic reminder of her early start and launch into stardom.
“thank u, next”
- Shortly after her breakup with comedian Pete Davidson, Grande released “thank u, next,” which quickly topped charts worldwide. Rising to No. 1 on the global Spotify charts, as well as debuting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, this anthem will go down in pop culture history. The music video alone reached a record-breaking 55.4 million views in the first day. Catchy, playful and iconic, Grande’s breakup anthem has become an instant classic.
“Break Free” (feat. Zedd)
- Working with producer Zedd, Ariana Grande released another hit on her second album, “My Everything.” The electrifying track received over 1.2 billion views on YouTube and went certified five-times Platinum in the U.S. Its upbeat vibe and powerful vocals helped solidify Grande as a standout act early in her pop career.
“One Last Time”
Also appearing on “My Everything,” this song, co-written by David Guetta, became the anthem for the survivors of the 2017 Manchester attack, where, at one of her concerts, a homemade bomb device killed 22 people and injured over a thousand. After the traumatic event, the song was re-released, with all proceeds going toward the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, dedicated to helping the victims and their families. Now certified four-times Platinum, the emotional song brings a sense of nostalgia, healing and reflection, serving as tribute to the past and a reminder to find strength with community. GRAPHIC: MOLLY DETTLINGER ’27/THE HAWK