Is Ariana Grande Quitting Pop Music? Inside Her Singing Plans After Starring in ‘Wicked’

Is Ariana Grande planning on saying “Thank U, Next” to her pop music career? The singer revealed some surprising plans for her future after starring in the movie adaptation of the smash musical Wicked.

Is Ariana Grande Quitting Pop Music?

While she’s not going to stop putting out catchy pop tunes altogether, the “7 Rings” artist plans to scale back on the type of music that made her a superstar.

“I’m gonna say something so scary – it’s gonna scare the absolute s–t out of my fans and everyone, but I love them, and they’ll deal, and we’ll be here forever,” Ariana explained during a November 6, 2024, appearance on the “Las Culturistas” podcast with Matt Rogers and her Wicked costar Bowen Yang.

“I’m always going to do ‘pop stuff,’ pinky promise. But I don’t think doing it at the rate I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years is where I see myself for the next 10,” she shared, revealing her heart lies somewhere else now.

Ariana Grande Has Fallen Back in Love With Musical Theater

“I love acting, I love musical theater,” Ari gushed. “Reconnecting with this part of myself who started in musical theater, and who loves comedy, and it heals me to do that — finding roles to use these parts of myself and put them in little homes and characters and bits and voices and songs.”

“Whatever makes sense, or whatever roles we see fit, or where I could really do a good job or honor the material, I would really love to. I think it’s a lot better for me. I’m getting emotional,” she said on the podcast about her next career steps.

Ariana Grande Is ‘Tired of Defending’ Ethan Slater Relationship

Ariana Grande Has a Background in Musical Theater

Growing up, the Florida native got her start with a role in the Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater production of the musical Annie, snagging the title role. She also performed in the theater’s productions of Beauty and the Beast and The Wizard of Oz.

Before becoming a teen star on Nickelodeon, Ari played a cheerleader in the Broadway musical 13 in 2008.

Ariana Grande Is ‘Tired of Defending’ Ethan Slater Relationship

When Did Ariana Grande Release Her Last Album?

Fans waited nearly four years for Ariana to release 2024’s Eternal Sunshine, her follow-up to 2020’s smash Positions.

Deal of the Day

These ‘Cloud-Soft’ Sandals Are 53% Off Today View Deal

The Grammy winner hit it big with the first two singles from the album – “Yes, And?” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – debuting atop the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

However, the album was a step in a different direction for Ariana, who called Eternal Sunshine a “concept” album where she wanted it to be listened to while played in its entirety “in one piece.”

The album was Ariana’s first music effort since the Don’t Look Up star’s divorce from Dalton Gomez, as well as her romance with Wicked costar Ethan Slater. She revealed the album involved “The most emotional writing process, for sure,” during a February 27, 2024, appearance on The Zach Sang Show.

She continued, “It says everything and nothing at the same time. It’s very vague and very specific — all at once.”