Happy Birthday, Ariana Grande!
A common criticism with today's consumers is how they don't really try anything new. Of course, if this belief is true, artists are going to have a hard time making it through to the mainstream. But people did take a chance on pop dynamo Ariana Grande, and they haven't regret it. The star turns 22 years old today (June 26).
There's not many child stars that could say Nickelodeon was just the start of their careers rather than the highlight. Still, people remember her as a star on Victorious and Sam & Cat. They're distant memories, though, because of how large Grande has blown up. Grande proved she was an indisputable star when 2013's Yours Truly came out; Nickelodeon had to cancel Sam & Cat as a result.
Grande had to prove she was here to stay with her sophomore album My Everything, so the stakes were higher. Instead of a slump, she came through with even more hits.
Songs like "Problem," featuring Iggy Azalea, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart. "Break Free" continued the critical praise and "Love Me Harder," arguably her best track, gave the Weeknd his first Billboard hit.
Although her career hasn't been sidetracked, Grande has been making recent news for her relationship and sudden breakup with rapper Big Sean. The attention surrounding the split brought up a feminist manifesto letter in which she noted that she was no one's property.
The missive was necessary, but it shouldn't have to be with a star (or any woman, for that matter) of her magnitude.