Marie Claire: So let's talk about your debut album. Why is it called "Yours Truly?"
Ariana Grande: I felt like the album was a love letter that was written over the span of three years, so I wanted to sign it like a love letter. A lot happened and I grew as a person: Things changed—relationships, heartbreak, and then new love.
MC: Heartbreak for you? You're only twenty!
AG: It can happen. Yeah, it was bad!
MC: Do you remember the first time you decided you wanted to become a singer?
AG: You know, there was no moment where I was like, "Oh I want to be a singer." For as far back as I can remember I just knew it was what I wanted to do. When I was a little girl, I would dress up and sing around the house in costumes. I just thought it was what I was meant to do.
MC: Who was that one person who inspired you musically?
AG: India Arie and Imogen Heap are two of my favorite artists. They're like goddesses. I love them so much.
MC: Who's your style icon?
AG: Audrey Hepburn.
MC: You played the character of Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious, and now on Sam & Cat. What's the difference between being a TV actress versus being a singer?
AG: I love [acting for the fans] who watch the show—that means so much to me. But music is where my heart is--it feels natural, as opposed to acting, which feels like a challenge.
MC: What do you want your fans to take away from this record?
AG: I want them to get to know me as Ariana. I love my fans. I have a very intimate relationship with them—they feel like friends to me. I think it's an exciting moment because I get to be me now. I don't have to be a character, which is scary at the same time, because if they don't like [my music], it's me they don't like. But it's honest and real and it's who I am. I'm proud of it. I feel very blessed.
MC: What's your goal for your music career?
AG: It's not about numbers or breaking records. I guess for me it's about making music you want to listen to the whole way through. Each song means something. I want [my fans] to love it, and I want it to mean something to them. I want it to be relatable.
Check out Grande's most recent music video and cover of "Last Christmas" below!
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Ariana Grande Teases a New Album Drop on Oscars Red Carpet: "Keep Your Eyes Peeled""The next step is...It means it must come out."
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Jeff Goldblum Teases How Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Will "Devastate" Fans in Wicked Sequel"I don't want to be a tattletale or a spoiler."
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Taylor Swift and Cynthia Erivo Casually Recreated the "Holding Space" Meme at the GrammysThe moment played out in the background of a clip of Trevor Noah hosting the awards show.
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Ethan Slater Shared a Rare Look at His and Ariana Grande’s Relationship as She Celebrated Her First-Ever Oscar NominationNo caption needed.
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Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Are "Inseparable" and Feeling "Pure Bliss"\201cThey have so much in common, which is something Ari never had with past relationships.\201d
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Ethan Slater's Ex-Wife Dr. Lilly Jay Pens Essay About Super Public Divorce: "Season of Shock and Mourning"All the noise around 'Wicked' has been especially hard.
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The Rumor That Ariana Grande Was Paid More Than Cynthia Erivo for 'Wicked' Has Been Shut DownThe rumor claimed that Grande was paid 15 times as much as Erivo for the movie.
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Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
