Perhaps one of the most recognizable faces and household names of the modern music industry, Ariana Grande has achieved great success in the span of her ongoing career. With 2 Grammy awards and over 100 other musical awards to her name, it’s pretty safe to say that Grande is one of the biggest stars of her time.
However before her musical career skyrocketed in its success, Grande began her journey in the spotlight through her acting roles. Most notably, the role that shot her into the world of fame and recognition was that in the 2011 young teen television series Victorious. Throughout the span of the show, Grande portrayed the character of Cat Valentine, a quirky redhead with a stellar voice. Let’s take a look at other acting roles that Grande starred in which fans may have forgotten about.
9 Princess Diaspro In 'Winx Club'
During its complicated history with dubbing and production, the Winx Club series saw several voice actors come and go in its portrayals of the magical fairies of Alfea. In 2011 during its Viacom revival, in the Atlas Oceanic dubbing, Grande was cast to voice the spoiled antagonist Princess Diaspro. She stayed on to voice the evil fairy for the series’ rerecording of its third season and then later in its fifth season. However shortly after, the character was recast and Grande was replaced by voiceover actress Cassandra Lee Morris.
8 Cat Valentine In 'Sam And Cat'
Her role as Cat Valentine in Victorious thrust Grande into the public eye, and fans of both Grande and the show were sad to bid farewell to her quirky and bubbly character upon the show’s wrap. However, fans were pleased to welcome the character back onto their screens in the spin-off series Sam And Cat which was released only 4 months after Victorious’ finale. Sam And Cat reprised the combination of iCarly and Victorious that first happebed in a crossover special episode in 2011.
However, the show quickly came to an end only one year after its release due to reported salary conflicts and feuds between its leading ladies Grande and McCurdy.
7 Amanda Pitch Benson In 'Swindle'
Back in 2013, Grande joined on to be part of the Nickelodeon original movie Swindle. The film was a fun heist-based comedy in which a ragtag group of teens attempts to steal a valuable baseball card after it was swindled one of them. In the film, Grande portrays the character of Amanda Pitch Benson, the cutesy cheerleader needed for her athletic abilities and stunts.
6 Snowflake In 'Snowflake The White Gorilla'
In September 2013 Grande starred in the English dub of the Spanish animation Snowflake The White Gorilla. Grande portrayed the titular role of Snowflake and starred alongside her fellow Nickelodeon alums iCarly’s Jennette McCurdy as Petunia and Nathan Kress as Elvis. Hollywood names such as David Spade and Christopher Lloyd were also amongst the cast in this heartwarming story of acceptance.
5 Laura In 'Underdogs'
One of Grande’s most overlooked roles was perhaps that in the 2015 movie Underdogs. When thinking of Grande and her acting career, her role in the children’s animation film may not be one that many would tend to remember right away despite her character forming part of the leading cast. The soccer-oriented film followed the story of Jake (Matthew Morrison) as he attempted to succeed in his career whilst saving his love interest Laura, Grande’s character, who had been kidnapped.
4 Chanel Number 2 In 'Scream Queens'
Perhaps her most notable role in recent years was Grande’s part in the teen horror series, Scream Queens. In the show, Grande portrays the character of Sonya Herfmann, better known as “Chanel Number 2”, a ditzy minion of the main mean girl, Chanel Oberlin (Emma Roberts). Grande’s run on the show did not last very long as her character was killed off during its first season in 2015.
3 Penny Pingleton In 'Hairspray Live!'
In 2016 Grande was cast to form part of the special televised NBC production of Hairspray Live! The production was a direct adaptation of the broadway musical of the same name and included a star-studded cast such as Maddie Baillio as its leading lady Tracy Turnblad, Martin Short, and even soul powerhouse Jennifer Hudson. Grande portrayed the role of Penny Pingleton in the production.
2 Riley Bina In 'Don’t Look Up'
Most recently Grande formed part of the star-studded cast for the upcoming Netflix feature Don’t Look Up. Set to be released in December 2021, the disaster comedy will portray a story of moral judgment and climate change. In the film, Grande portrays the role of Riley Bina.
Whilst on The Tonight Show, November 2021, Grande opened up about her character as she stated, “I play Riley Bina, who is this aloof, and somewhat unaware pop star, whose relationship with DJ Chello, played by the amazing Kid Cudi. The news about their relationship fluctuating, sort of eclipses the news of the Earth coming to an end. Which is great.”
1 Glinda The Good Witch In 'Wicked'
And finally, a future acting role which “Arianators” are looking forward to seeing Grande portray is Glinda The Good Witch in the upcoming Universal film adaptation of the classic Broadway production, Wicked. Grande herself announced that she would be starring in the film through her Instagram account, in which she posted an image of herself reacting to the news under the caption, “thank goodness 💘 @jonmchu @cynthiaerivo @wickedmovie”.
