Tanya Mosley

Let's take a short break. If you're just joining us, my guest is Oscar-nominated actress and performer Ariana Grande. We'll continue our conversation after a short break. This is Fresh Air.

Let's take a short break. If you're just joining us, my guest is Oscar-nominated actress and performer Ariana Grande. We'll continue our conversation after a short break. This is Fresh Air.

You arrived in L.A. at 14 years old? Yes. Yeah, from Florida, because that's where you were raised. Yes.

You arrived in L.A. at 14 years old? Yes. Yeah, from Florida, because that's where you were raised. Yes.

You arrived in L.A. at 14 years old? Yes. Yeah, from Florida, because that's where you were raised. Yes.

Yeah, and Victoria's just to let folks know that's a Nickelodeon show. There are lots of parents who listen to this show who are like, oh yeah, I know Victoria's. Yes, for sure.

Yeah, and Victoria's just to let folks know that's a Nickelodeon show. There are lots of parents who listen to this show who are like, oh yeah, I know Victoria's. Yes, for sure.

Yeah, and Victoria's just to let folks know that's a Nickelodeon show. There are lots of parents who listen to this show who are like, oh yeah, I know Victoria's. Yes, for sure.

As well as Sam and Kat, yes, including my home. But do you remember... Who you were back then when you were telling folks, I want to sing and I want to do soulful music, right? I want to do R&B music. Take us to that decision.

As well as Sam and Kat, yes, including my home. But do you remember... Who you were back then when you were telling folks, I want to sing and I want to do soulful music, right? I want to do R&B music. Take us to that decision.

As well as Sam and Kat, yes, including my home. But do you remember... Who you were back then when you were telling folks, I want to sing and I want to do soulful music, right? I want to do R&B music. Take us to that decision.

You dyeing your hair brown.

You dyeing your hair brown.

You dyeing your hair brown.

What was it about R&B music in those early days that really spoke to you?

What was it about R&B music in those early days that really spoke to you?

What was it about R&B music in those early days that really spoke to you?

Yeah. You know, there's a dichotomy in your persona because some of your music is sweet. Some of it is soulful. And some of it, Ariana, is pretty raunchy. Yeah. Like, I mean, I was listening to 3435 and I was like, oh my gosh, can I blush? If I could, I think I am.

Yeah. You know, there's a dichotomy in your persona because some of your music is sweet. Some of it is soulful. And some of it, Ariana, is pretty raunchy. Yeah. Like, I mean, I was listening to 3435 and I was like, oh my gosh, can I blush? If I could, I think I am.

Yeah. You know, there's a dichotomy in your persona because some of your music is sweet. Some of it is soulful. And some of it, Ariana, is pretty raunchy. Yeah. Like, I mean, I was listening to 3435 and I was like, oh my gosh, can I blush? If I could, I think I am.