Best Ariana Grande Acting Performances to Watch Before ‘Wicked: For Good’

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Ariana Grande is a global superstar, having sold over 90 million records and earned numerous awards, including 2 Grammys, a Brit Award, and 5 Billboard and American Music Awards. She’s also a record-breaker, appearing multiple times in the Guinness World Records. Beyond her music, Ariana is known for her charity work and successful beauty line, which has generated over $1 billion in sales worldwide.

Ariana Grande began her acting career with roles on Broadway and in the Nickelodeon shows Victorious and Sam & Cat. She recently starred as Glinda in the hugely popular Wicked, receiving rave reviews. With the Wicked movie coming out later this month, let’s revisit some of Ariana Grande’s best acting roles so far.

7
Cat in ‘Sam & Cat’ (2013 – 2014)


Nickelodeon Productions

Sam & Cat, a show that started as a continuation of the popular Nickelodeon series Victorious and iCarly, centers around two students, Sam and Cat, who unexpectedly meet while on an unusual adventure. They decide to become roommates and launch a babysitting service to make some extra cash. Despite its popularity, the show was canceled after only 36 episodes due to various issues and disagreements behind the scenes.

A Short-Lived Spin-off

The show received a varied response. Although it won a Kids’ Choice Award, many viewers felt it relied too much on predictable storylines aimed at young teens and didn’t offer a meaningful message. It launched the same year Ariana Grande released her first album, and she was already becoming a globally recognized star. While the show wasn’t particularly memorable on its own, Ariana Grande’s charisma drew attention and helped fuel the growing excitement around her as a rising pop star.

6
Laura in ‘Underdogs (Metegol)’ (2013)


Universal Pictures International

Metegol is an animated comedy film made in Argentina and Spain. It tells the quirky story of Amadeo (known as Jake in the US), a quiet young man who’s incredibly talented at foosball. When his friends are kidnapped by a childhood enemy, Amadeo magically brings his foosball players to life to rescue them in a real-world battle. Despite being relatively unknown, Metegol cost $21 million to make, making it the most expensive film ever produced in Argentina and the priciest animated feature from Latin America.

Ariana Grande Stars in the American Version

The movie was released in both the UK and the US, where it was known as Underdogs. The American version boasts a fantastic voice cast, including Nicholas Hoult, Shawn Mendes, Mel Brooks, John Leguizamo, Katie Holmes, Bella Thorne, Jay Pharoah, and Ariana Grande. Ariana Grande voices the grown-up version of Laura, one of the friends who is kidnapped and Jake’s love interest, bringing her signature playful energy and charm to the role.

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Sonya Herfmann/Channel #2 in ‘Scream Queens’ (2015 – 2016)


Fox

Scream Queens is a hilarious and often overlooked horror comedy. The show centers on a sorority house terrorized by a mysterious masked killer. It successfully mixes the vibes of classic teen comedies like Mean Girls and Clueless with the thrills of ’80s and ’90s slasher films, resulting in two seasons of entertaining, over-the-top, and addictive television.

Teen Comedy Meets Slasher Horror

Ariana Grande played a funny, somewhat superficial sorority girl who was obsessed with social media before her character was killed off. She showed off her comedic timing throughout her appearances, often using a dry, deadpan delivery that perfectly contrasted with the show’s over-the-top drama. Her sarcastic, valley-girl style lines fit the show’s campy vibe and made her a memorable part of the series.

4
Cat in ‘Victorious’ (2010 – 2013)


Nickelodeon

The Nickelodeon show Victorious, which aired from 2010 to 2013, played a key role in launching Ariana Grande’s career and helped her become the superstar she is today. Although the show—about a teen named Victoria and her friends at a performing arts high school—received somewhat mixed reactions, it clearly showcased Grande’s natural talent.

Ariana Grande’s Potential Was on Full Display

Ariana Grande quickly won over audiences with her singing and charming personality as Cat, making the character a hit with fans. This popularity led to her own show, Sam & Cat, and helped launch her music career.

3
Peaches in ‘Brighter Days Ahead’ (2025)


UMG Recordings, Inc.

Released alongside her album Eternal Sunshine, Brighter Days Ahead is a short film inspired by the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The film is co-written and co-directed by the singer, who also returns as her character Peaches, first seen in the music video for “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).” In the film, she plays an older version of Peaches who goes back to a clinic that restores memories, hoping to experience – and then let go of – both happy and difficult moments from her past.

A Mind-Bending, Visual Masterpiece

Clocking in at 26 minutes, this video beautifully tells a story through stunning visuals and music from the album. It mixes dreamy scenes, futuristic elements, and heartfelt emotion, all enhanced by Ariana Grande’s powerful and moving performance.

2
Riley Bina in ‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)


Netflix

“Don’t Look Up” is a darkly funny satire that pokes fun at how society often ignores the climate crisis. The movie follows two astronomers trying to warn everyone that a comet is headed for Earth and will wipe out humanity. When it came out, people had very different reactions. Some thought it was too heavy-handed and preachy, while others found it to be a witty and entertaining film with a crucial point to make.

Ariana Grande Holds Her Own

No matter your opinion of the movie’s humor or story, the incredible talent of the actors is clear. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Timothée Chalamet, Jonah Hill, and Cate Blanchett. You might expect Ariana Grande to be lost amongst such established stars, but she truly shines. Her performance as pop star Riley Bina is a clever and funny commentary on celebrity life, showcasing her comedic timing and natural appeal. Director Adam McKay was especially impressed with her ability to improvise and stay present during filming.

1
Glinda Upland in ‘Wicked’ (2024)


Universal Pictures

Before the classic story of The Wizard of Oz, comes Wicked, a visually stunning film adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical. It tells the untold story of the witches of Oz and has captivated both audiences and critics, earning rave reviews and praise from renowned directors like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Oliver Stone, and Joe Dante.

Ariana Grande Was a Revelation

Ariana Grande’s performance as Glinda was a standout. It was her most significant role yet, and she delivered beautifully, blending humor with heartfelt emotion. She made Glinda a captivating character without taking focus away from the story. With the sequel about to come out, anticipation is incredibly high, and many predict it will be a major hit.

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2025-11-08 23:55