Ariana Grande has shared that her recent experiences in acting have significantly improved her relationship with music and touring. The 32-year-old pop star, who stars as Glinda in the film adaptation of the renowned Broadway musical Wicked and its sequel, Wicked: For Good, is set to embark on her Eternal Sunshine Tour in March 2024 to support her fifth studio album. In a candid interview with actress Nicole Kidman for Interview magazine, Grande discussed the transformative impact of stepping back from music.
Reflecting on her journey, Grande expressed, “I feel really grateful and excited about it in a way that feels so different to me.” She elaborated that over the past few years, she has focused on “healing” her relationship with music and the pressures that accompany touring. “I spent a lot of time redoing my system when it comes to making music. With Eternal Sunshine, that felt like a very different experience for me,” she noted.
Finding Perspective Through Acting
Grande emphasized how her time away from the music industry allowed her to distinguish the joy of creation from the burdens of fame. Playing Glinda provided her with new strength and a fresh perspective on her artistry. She explained, “I think the time away from it helped me reclaim certain pieces of it and put certain feelings that maybe belonged to my relationship to fame… in a box somewhere else.” This separation, she said, allowed her to reconnect with her passion for music without losing sight of her gifts.
As she continued to discuss her journey, Grande acknowledged the challenges she faced when she first rose to fame. “There was a tricky adjustment period in the very beginning when my pop career took off the way that it did,” she recalled. While she expressed gratitude for her success, she also recognized the difficulties that came with such a drastic life change.
Grande revealed that her healing process has been gradual, describing it as taking “baby steps” toward rediscovering her love for music and performing. “I think my time with Glinda and with acting really helped me build the strength to be able to do that. But I can’t express how grateful I am,” she said, reflecting on the emotional weight she carried in the past.
Addressing Past Traumas
The singer elaborated on her emotional journey, stating, “I think it just held some traumas for me before, and I feel those dissipating, and that is such an extraordinarily beautiful thing.” Grande’s openness about her experiences highlights the often-overlooked emotional toll that fame can exert on artists.
As she prepares for her upcoming tour, Grande’s renewed connection to music signals a promising chapter in her career. Her reflections on the healing power of acting, combined with her commitment to her craft, suggest that she is poised to approach her music with a fresh outlook and renewed enthusiasm.
With a blend of gratitude and introspection, Ariana Grande is not only ready to return to the stage but also to embrace her artistry in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling. As she embarks on this new phase, fans can look forward to a performer who is more connected to her music than ever before.
