Ariana Grande Criticizes Method Acting Double Standard Over Voice Change

Published: 8:54 PM PDT, July 9, 2024

Ariana Grande is saying “Thank U, Next” to the critics who commented on her voice change during a recent podcast appearance on the Podcrushed show hosted by Penn Badgley.

During a new episode of the Shut Up Evan podcast with Evan Ross Katz, the 31-year-old singer addressed the viral video in which her voice switches from a lower, throatier tone to a higher-pitched sound. Grande, who plays Glinda in the upcoming Wicked film, told Katz that switching pitches is “a normal thing people do, especially if you have a large range.”

She explained that she has trained her voice to sing and speak in a higher range for her “dream role.” This training sometimes causes her voice to change unexpectedly.

“I did just spend a long time playing a character every single day,” Grande said. “[I trained] my voice to do different things for a long time before leaving for London and before any of this. The voice is in the body, it’s an instrument and muscle memory is a real thing.”

Grande also pointed out the double standard in the criticism, noting that male actors often receive praise for “method” acting, a technique where they fully embody their characters on and off-screen. “I mean, you see male actors, sure people make jokes here and there as well about everybody who experiences something like this, but it’s always after the fact that they’re like, ‘Oh wow, how dedicated to his craft! What an amazing transformation! He’s a brilliant performer!’ But then it’s like, God forbid I sneeze like Glinda or something,” she said.

She added, “[Then] it’s just that I am crazy […] it’s the weirdest thing.”

The podcast host, a longtime friend of Grande’s, agreed and explained to listeners that “both” tones are her real voice, depending on factors like the time of day, the role she’s working on, and her vocal regimen.

He also mentioned that many people lack “vocal literacy” or an understanding of what goes into being a singer. Katz even cited Celine Dion, who has spoken about the careful measures she takes to care for her voice. In the recent documentary I Am Celine, Dion revealed she needs to sleep 12 hours a night and avoid alcohol to maintain her voice.

Grande, who debuted on Broadway in 13 over fifteen years ago, agreed. She said, “[It’s] a full-time commitment and it’s a lifestyle; it’s not something you can f** around with.”

After a video of Grande’s appearance on Podcrushed garnered millions of views on TikTok, Grande responded to one repost with an explanation. “habit (speaking like this for two years) and also vocal health 🙂 🍵 i intentionally change my vocal placement (high/low) often depending on how much singing i’m doing 😭 i’ve always done this BYE,” she wrote in a TikTok comment.

While she may no longer be singing for Wicked, Grande’s voice remains a priority as she continues to make TV, movie, and podcast appearances to promote the upcoming film adaptation.

Grande is also promoting her latest album, Eternal Sunshine, which was released in March. While she tried to stay tight-lipped about plans for a tour, Grande hinted at the possibility of a “mini tour” for her devoted fans. “I think it would be a really lovely idea to be able to trickle in some shows in between the two Wicked films. I think there’s a version of that that exists,” she told Katz. Here’s hoping!

Wicked: Part One is set to release on Nov. 22, 2024, while Wicked: Part Two is expected on Nov. 26, 2025. The films also star Cynthia Erivo, Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.

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