I actually enjoy the fact that Ariana Grande has changed up her look this year. While I don’t think this light blonde shade really suits her coloring, I appreciate that it’s something different. The high ponytails and cat-ears had overstayed their welcome, quite honestly. And truly, I don’t completely hate the blonde. Apparently, the blonde hair in this shoot was completely a wig though! Ariana covers the latest issue of Elle Magazine, and the photoshoot is actually quite lovely – you can see the full editorial here. Ariana chats with Elle about how she changed after the terrorist attack at her Manchester concert, and how she wants to use her privilege to help people.
Her life now: “It’s work. I’m a 25-year-old woman. But I’ve also spent the past handful of years growing up under very extraordinary circumstances. And I know how that story goes.…”
Her call to action: “Everyone has to have uncomfortable conversations with their relatives. Instead of unfriending people on Facebook who share different political views, comment! Have a conversation! Try to spread the f–king light.”
On coming home after the Manchester attack: “When I got home from tour, I had really wild dizzy spells, this feeling like I couldn’t breathe. I would be in a good mood, fine and happy, and they would hit me out of nowhere. I’ve always had anxiety, but it had never been physical before. There were a couple of months straight where I felt so upside down.”
She was terrified as the terrorist attack unfolded: “You hear about these things. You see it on the news, you tweet the hashtag. It’s happened before, and it’ll happen again. It makes you sad, you think about it for a little, and then people move on. But experiencing something like that firsthand, you think of everything differently.…Everything is different.”
On performing after Manchester: “Why would I second-guess getting on a f*cking stage and being there for them? That city, and their response? That changed my life.”
On using her platform to take a stand: “There’s a lot of noise when you say anything about anything. But if I’m not going to say it, what’s the f*cking point of being here? Not everyone is going to agree with you, but that doesn’t mean I’m just going to shut up and sing my songs. I’m also going to be a human being who cares about other human beings; to be an ally and use my privilege to help educate people.” For her, the role of the artist is to “not only help people and comfort them, but also push people to think differently, raise questions, and push their boundaries mentally.”
I actually choked up reading the full Elle piece. It included quotes from her mom about the Manchester attack (her mom was there, trying to help kids and get to Ari), and how Ari could barely speak for two days after the attack, that’s how traumatized and terrified and gutted she was. For what it’s worth, I truly buy that there is a whole new Ariana, an Ari 2.0 post-Manchester. And I like her more. I also like that she doesn’t apologize for being politically liberal, and refusing to “shut up and sing.” Props to Ari 2.0.
Photos courtesy of Alexi Lubomirski for Elle Magazine, sent from promotional email.
I, too, am buying the New Ari. She and Trent Reznor should work together sometime (I’m being totally serious).
I love this idea!!!
I have had a total turn around on my feelings for this girl. There was a time, when the kids were younger, where they had to mute the TV if she was on screen because her fake sexy baby voice would send me into feminist rage. Now, I am a fan, and I love her empowered persona.
Ok, that wig looks totally amazing on her! She should really consider a makeover.
She should. I like this Elle cover. Something about her look here makes me think of a blonde Cher a little bit for some reason.
I just always think of her as the donut-licker. I hope she’s grown and changed a lot since then, but that was such a crass and disgusting thing to do, I don’t know that I’ll ever like her.
This was a lovely interview. Unfortunately i cannot unsee how shes obssessed with the left side of her face. It’s quite unsettling.
That being said i enjoyed her previous album and im still not sold on this one, but i like her more nowadays too. Just hope she doesnt marry that weird guy.
Her Manchester concert was truly so amazing. She was the perfect host to a long roster of superstars, and sang backup or duets with many of them. She was there in front of the fans all day long. She did not just let Scooter Braun put together a great concert and then show up at the end. She worked her a** off to make that a great experience for everyone. And she spoke about her meetings with the parents of the fans who had been murdered. Oh, my heart. What those little girls would have given to have seen Ariana Grande in their living rooms.
She’s gone from a great singer with a so-so personality to a great singer whose experience of pain and suffering has transformed her spiritually, mentally and emotionally. What a fantastic response, and what a splendid inspiration for young girls growing up in our world.
She’s grown as a human, an artist, a humanitarian and a woman and it shows in her music and the music’s messaging. Trauma aside, this is the kind of growth Taylor Swift should have shown years ago.