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Ariana Grande is embracing a new chapter in her career and personal life — one filled with balance, creativity, and renewed happiness.
In a recent interview with The New York Times published on November 5, the pop star reflected on the difficult period that left her feeling disconnected from her music before being cast as Glinda in Wicked. "There was something broken about my relationship to pop music that was healed recently through the time away," she shared. "I think it got away from me in a way I didn't expect. There's a thing that comes along with your dreams coming true that feels dangerous at times ... Until quite recently, it was really hard for me to navigate and I think it stripped a lot of joy out of this for me."
Grande's candid remarks come two years after she parted ways with longtime manager Scooter Braun and his company SB Projects, where she'd been represented on and off since 2013. Without naming him directly, she hinted that the former management setup may have affected her creative freedom. "By the way, I have a different team now," she told the outlet. "Said with love, but that was a piece."
Following her departure, the Grammy winner joined Brandon Creed's Good World Management, a shift she says has allowed her to focus on artistry above all else. "I've never felt this connected to my art or inspired, and that's just been such a tremendous gift," she said.
While her renewed connection to music has been significant, Wicked director Jon M. Chu also praised Grande's openness and emotional range on set. "She was not hiding anything from this camera," Chu told The New York Times, adding that the personal struggles she faced during filming gave depth to her performance as Glinda.
Grande's journey hasn't been without challenges. Amid her divorce and public scrutiny over her relationship with Wicked costar Ethan Slater, she's faced intense media attention. Yet, she's remained grounded and focused on her craft. "Oh, I don't actually have to take on those things that were projected onto me. I can focus on my art, and that can be a separate entity," she explained.
Now, as she prepares for a 2026 tour supporting her chart-topping album Eternal Sunshine and the release of Wicked: For Good on November 21, Grande's message is clear — she's reclaiming her joy, her power, and her voice.
