Celebrities Ariana Grande Has Called Out
Ariana Grande is one of those sweet as pie celebrities who you don't really hear about having repeated super dramatic, nasty feuds. In fact, Grande has even made a vow to always try to be at her best and offer up her most welcoming behavior, particularly when it comes to her millions of dedicated fans. The star has been pretty open about her struggles with anxiety, but shared during her 2020 "Ariana Grande at the BBC" special (via BuzzFeed), "I'm going to be friendly because that's the life that I have signed up for, and I have to be okay with it."
But don't think that just because this pop star is saccharine sweet to her fans that she doesn't know how to clap back at the right moment. Grande has found herself in a few heated moments before where she's spoken up for herself, but it sounds like she's learned to call out with class. "I used to freak out about everything all the time. I used to be like, 'Oh my God, somebody said this!' Everything used to be such a big deal! But now, I feel I can handle everything that comes my way with a calm energy," she told Seventeen in 2014.
So, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and channel that Ari-style calm energy as we take a look back at some of her very best celebrity callouts.
TikTok please stop
Tick tock on the clock. But the party don't stop ... and Ariana Grande wasn't happy about it. One of this star's most notable callouts came amid the coronavirus pandemic when the "Positions" singer took aim at TikTok and Instagram influencers who refused to follow social distancing rules. Grande didn't name names, but slammed the modern celebrities who had still been venturing out and sharing content in groups by saying on "Zach Sang Show" in October 2020, "All the other countries were fine and are better than we are. Did we all really need to go to f***king Saddle Ranch that badly that like we couldn't have waited for the deathly pandemic to pass? Like we are really needed to put on our cowgirl boots and ride a mechanical bull that badly? We all needed that Instagram post that badly?"
TikTokers Dixie D'Amelio and Addison Rae both agreed with her stance, with the former telling Pap Galore, "I don't really know what to think. I mean, she's right. She's right, yeah. She's a queen, I love her," while the latter admitted to the outlet, "I think it's fair. I think it's understandable."
Bryce Hall didn't appear too happy with Grande's comments, though, and, although he agreed, accused her of shading influencers for publicity. "She's not wrong but, like, unnecessary to call out a specific group especially when there's other people doing it," he told "Hollywood Raw." "It was obviously, like, a marketing move and good for her."
No rePEATing history
Ahhh May 2018. What a time to be alive. Prince Harry is marrying "Suits" actor Meghan Markle, "Black Panther" is sweeping the box office, and Ariana Grande has just embarked on a whirlwind romance with Pete Davidson. As you already know, only one of the aforementioned romances went the distance, as Davidson and Grande became engaged in June 2018 — only to call it all off in October 2018. Ever since then, there's been some speculation that maybe there's a little drama between the formerly betrothed couple, which brings us to our next sassy Grande callout.
It seemed like Grande's former fiancé may have felt her subtle wrath in music form, as fans noticed a small but potentially telling detail in her 2020 single "positions" when she sings, "Heaven sent you to me, I'm just hoping I don't repeat history." Emphasis on the "peat" (which you can hear Ariana sing for yourself here).
It is worth noting though that the "Saturday Night Live" comedian himself has no doubt Grande (who told Vogue the romance "frivolous and fun and insane") probably has aimed a little shade in his direction. Grande appeared to give a non-verbal callout to Davidson during the 2020 Grammy Awards when she took off her engagement ring and placed it in a box during her performance of "thank u, next." "I'm sure she was. She's the queen of shade," Davidson told Charlamagne Tha God when asked if he thought Grande was shading at him.
Where did that Bette Midler go?
Even Ariana Grande isn't immune to a Twitter feud. The social media site that's been the catalyst for many a celebrity drama struck again when Grande got into it with a somewhat unexpected feud partner, Bette Midler. This all went down after Midler called out the "Problem" singer during an interview with The Telegraph while speaking about the sexualization of women in music, saying, "It's terrible! It's always surprising to see someone like Ariana Grande with that silly high voice, a very wholesome voice, slithering around on a couch ... looking so ridiculous. I mean, it's silly beyond belief and I don't know who's telling her to do it. I wish they'd stop." Ouch.
Grande hit back at the "Hocus Pocus" star in a since-deleted tweet, writing, per Billboard, "Bette was always a feminist who stood for women being able to do whatever the F they wanted without judgement (sic). not sure where that Bette went..." This callout wasn't without a little love too though, as she added, "and I will still quote first wives club every single day of my life lmao."
Midler responded with somewhat of an apology though, writing on Twitter, "About my screed on @ArianaGrande, all I can say is, 'Spoken like a reformed old whore!' She does have a beautiful voice, on a couch or off." Erm, so we'll probably file this one under a kind of truce then.
Did you hear about the Morgan?
Just like many famous faces, Ariana Grande isn't Piers Morgan's biggest fan, and she made her stance on the outspoken journalist very clear in 2018 after he got into a spat with her mom, Joan Grande. The drama came about after Joan slammed Morgan for suggesting Little Mix copied the Dixie Chicks by stripping down for a photo shoot, writing in part on Twitter, "Honestly what is wrong with you @piersmorgan? Didn't your mother ever teach you, if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it!" He responded, "My mother taught me to speak my mind & never be afraid to express honestly held opinion.... as for Little Mix, I'd just prefer they use their talent to sell records rather than their nudity. As your own daughter does...!"
Clearly, Morgan didn't know to not mess with Mama Grande, as that's when Ariana chimed in. In two since deleted tweets, she hit back (via Variety), "I use my talent AND my sexuality all the time because i choose to. women can be sexual AND talented. naked and dignified. it's OUR choice... i say this w all due respect but thank u, next." She then called him out for slamming talented young women for being themselves and owning their sexuality to keep himself relevant, adding, "i think that'll be a beautiful thing for you and your career or what's left of it." You go, girl!
Nada MAGA
Supporting Donald Trump is not "The Way" for Ariana Grande. The star has made it very clear that she's no fan of the former president of the United States, including tweeting after it was announced he had been elected (via Hello Giggles), "Well this is utterly terrifying. I am in tears." She later took to Instagram to make her political feelings even clearer after sharing that Trump's victory left her crying for hours, adding in another since removed post that everyone needs to come together because, in her words, "it's the only way we will be able to get through what could possibly be a very dark few years."
That's not the only time Ariana has thrown shade at the controversial businessman, though. She also had a subtle dig at Trump in her "thank u, next" music video with a unique choice in textbooks, which was confirmed by her mom, Joan Grande, to be no coincidence. The video shows Ariana reading "Immigration and Refugee Law and Policy," which had one fan reach out to Joan on Twitter to ask if the choice was linked to Trump's controversial immigration policies. In response, Joan quoted "Legally Blonde" and added of Trump, "no HE doesn't...... know anything!" Joan then quoted another tweet discussing the music video Easter egg, writing of her daughter, "she is smart.. she is beautiful.. she is talented.. she is a most passionate advocate for humanity ... I love her.." Us too, Joan. Us too.
Santa Claus hate
Ho Ho No. Sorry, guys. It turns out Ariana Grande isn't exactly full of the festive spirit when it comes to Santa Claus. In fact, Grande is a downright grinch when it comes to the big fan man with the long white beard — despite having a Christmas song about the big guy titled "Santa Tell Me." "I'm repulsed by Santa. My song might sound cheerful but it's really quite sardonic and depressing. I'm like saying, 'Santa, what is your deal, bro?' I've had my heart broken multiple times around this time of year," she explained to Daily Star back in 2014. "I feel although it's one of the most cheerful times of the year, I see tons of heartbreak and they make movies about it. It's like a 'Last Christmas' vibe," she added. Being repulsed by Santa, though? Now that's going to land her on the naughty list!
But don't think Grande isn't down to celebrate a holiday just because of her aversion to Saint Nicholas. It turns out that rather than being a Christmas queen she's more of a Halloween vixen, having opened up about her love for the spookfest holiday multiple times before. "I love Halloween. I love being scared, I think it's so much fun," Grande shared on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" in 2018, revealing she's such a fan of the terrifying holiday that she loves to visit Haunted Houses. Better luck next time, Santa.
Clapping back at 6ix9ine
Note to self: Never try to discredit Ariana Grande's success. That's one 6ix9ine (aka Tekashi69) learned the hard way, when he boldly suggested in 2020 that Grande and her "Stuck With U" duet partner Justin Bieber used some underhanded tactics to get the song to the number one spot on Billboard's Hot 100. In a video posted to Instagram, the controversial rapper accused the chart of being rigged and alleged 60,000 units of the song had supposedly been bought from six credit cards just before the end of the chart week. He claimed, because of that, his song "Gooba" was denied the top spot.
But Grande wasn't taking those allegations lying down. The star posted a lengthy message to Instagram and called out 6ix9ine without ever actually mentioning him by name. She pointed out that she usually stays away from the drama but addressed the allegations because they were serious. "OUR fans bought this song (never more than four copies each, AS THE RULES STATE)," she hit back, per Pop Base. "To anybody that is displeased with their placement on the chart this week or who is spending their time racking their brain thinking of as many ways as they can to discredit hardworking women (and only the women for some reason.....), i ask u to take a moment to humble yourself," she continued, urging the unnamed person (cough, 6ix9ine, cough) to be a little more grateful.
Ariana Grande. Queen of the classy callout.