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Hey.
Whoa, hi.
Ring.
Will? Ring. Hello? You've reached the messaging of Will Arnett. Oh, damn it. Gosh, we missed him. Feel free to start an all-new SmartLess. Oh. Beep. Smart. You know, I've been thinking about going, not changing, it's not really changing my name, but I'm thinking about just going with just Will.
like kind of like share the words just will just and will just will yeah but just will would be clearer like it's too close to it's too close to just jack um from that show i'm not familiar um i don't know what the show but so so nobody and nobody's got nobody picked will yet just the will like you know you know how like brazilian soccer players just go with like
Pepe or whatever on the back of there. So I just want to do that.
Don't say, yeah, Sean, you don't know what the hell he said.
No, I don't.
But you know what took me forever to realize? You remember that?
Oh, hang on. Can I have a crack at this? Because the list is long. That the world might not be flat?
No, that Will, I, Will period, I period, M period, you know, the rapper, singer, guy, whatever. Will.i.am? Yeah, Will.i.am.
Yeah, it's William, you stupid bastard.
I didn't realize that. You're kidding, you're kidding. I swear to God, till like a year ago, I looked at it, I was like, oh, it's William.
When you say you didn't realize, how is that possible? Well, nothing's going to beat Beatles, right?
No, that beats Beatles to me. That was a big shock to me. Lots of people on my side, guys. Lots of people on my side.
I think William beats Beatles.
Will, I like that the hair is still growing. You got a real Carol Brady kick out on the back. I love it. What are we going to do with it? Have you settled on what the look's going to be for the big film?
No, I mean, I think you're kind of looking at it.
Am I looking at it? All right.
Are you going to put gel in it? Well, it's going to be all over the place and it's going to be, you know. This is going to be what it is, man. You know, I'm kind of freewheeling.
Freewheeling.
Did you guys know anything about me? You're talking to Will. Simply, just Will. Yeah, he's really easygoing and freewheeling.
You know, Scotty and I said to Jay, we missed you last week, Will. I know, I know. How was it? It was fun. It was really small. There was some good laughs.
It was plenty of oxygen for everyone with you not there. Wow. I think our audience will agree. No, we did. Now, you were still in town or you had just left Sunday?
I left Sunday night, yeah.
And now you're in New York and you're there for the haul, for the long haul. You're not going to come back.
I'm going to come back in a couple weeks for a weekend. Yeah. Grab some toiletries? Grab a few misplaced items. Yeah. Some sundries. And then, yeah, no, no, go back and see the kids and then they're going to come out here. It's going to be great. See, you got the Whisper booth all set up, don't you?
Look at that. Yeah, I got it all set up. You're leaving soon. I'm leaving in three weeks, I think. Yeah, I got to start doing some homework, goddammit. I've really been putting it off. I'm like that, though. I just kick it all down the road, and then I cram.
What, you mean memorizing lines and stuff?
Yeah, well, just like rereading and rereading the scripts. I got to figure out my look. I'm playing this St. Louis weatherman. I think you got it.
I think you got it, too. Yeah.
No, hey, don't be hurtful. Your default. No, I've got a... Tell us what it's like outside today. Like, it's going to be a mustache and maybe parting the hair, and some glasses, but I don't want to get too anchorman with it, you know?
Uh-huh, uh-huh. Sure. Yeah, yeah, you don't want it to be a cartoon, a caricature. You know, the other thing, JB, if you do happen to... Guys, that's my ride. If you do happen to... By the way, our guest is in Times Square, again. I'll be selling pretzels live.
JB, I will say this and we can get your guess, but if you do go the parted, I'm excited if you go parted because it'll mean you're finally put like a comb or a brush in your hair. It'll be really exciting for everybody. I might actually blow dry it too.
Wait, are you serious?
It looks so terrible. It's going to be gigantic. It's going to be like that. Wait, I want to tell you, Willie, that I said to Jay on Sunday, we got a turntable, Scotty and I, for Christmas, you know? Did I tell you that right? Two turntables and a microphone. No. Dude, did I tell you?
I got a stack of wax here that I'm just looking to put on somewhere.
No, seriously, it's so fun. We put it on at night and we just listen to, like, soundtracks or whatever. Like, I haven't listened to vinyl since I was a kid.
So even when you're on vinyl, you're listening to Star Wars? Yeah, I bet. Fucking...
Even when you're on a record, he's so good. He's got a vinyl of the Star Trek and Star Wars soundtrack.
Hey, Sean, when TikTok went dark, did you and Scotty make your final promises to each other in Star Trek?
Can you imagine Sean and Scotty putting on a record, putting the needle down the record, and just dancing around the house there, just like they don't care? They're not dancing.
They're going like, this is the part. Remember when Elliot gets on his bike and he puts him in the basket?
Do a dance for that. Do a dance for that.
This is when he comes, and he's in the closet, and he puts his finger out, and he says, E.T. won't go home. Do you remember that?
All right. Today, we've got a guest who's just starting to get a little momentum in show business. We're excited to have her here at the beginning. So far, she's off to a good start, though, with the singing stuff. She's sold over 90 million records. She's got 50 billion streams, and she's got a couple of Grammys. What are you talking about?
Yeah, with the acting, latest film's just gone past 700 mil. What? She happens to be the seventh most followed person on Instagram with 700, or sorry, 376 million followers. And she's got a cosmetic line and fragrance line that's earned just over a billion. Wait a minute. So she's got a little bit of wind at her back now.
She's stopping by for a little advice and encouragement from us geniuses before she officially gets out there and gives it a go. Please give an incredible hello to the incredible Ariana Grande. Ah!
Come on out. That was very silly. Let's go. Let's go. Hi, guys.
Hi, Ariana.
Oh, my gosh. This is exciting.
I'm so happy to be here with you guys.
I know. I'm happy you said yes and you're here. Wait, where are you, Ariana? You're in New York? Big catch, JB. What did you do? Very expensive guest right here, guys. So use your time wisely.
I love you all so much and I love the show so much. I am so happy to be here.
You're very nice to say that. Even for a podcast, you look gorgeous. I mean, even just for showing up. Thank you. Yeah, you didn't have to.
Oh my God, that's so nice. How is everyone? How are you guys?
Yeah.
I'm good. I'm currently in London, and I just got here, so I'm just, yeah, adjusting to the time.
Yeah, the jet lag's no good?
No, it's like it's fine. You know, you get to a point where you're just kind of like, whatever. Whatever needs to be will be.
I feel like it's worse coming back, right? It's worse coming back to the States.
No, no, from L.A. to London or anywhere in Europe is the worst on the planet, I think.
And then coming back is really fun because then you're a morning person for a while.
Yeah. Right, right, right.
I love that.
Did you just get in there today?
Yeah, we just got here. So I'm excited.
Right. This is like a very fun way to start the trip. But let's start there. So like you're okay with the amount of things you take on and the way you fill your day. I mean, I guess I should put that in the form of a question. Are you okay with it? How much time do you sort of allocate to just hanging out?
I mean, I feel really grateful for the balance that I have found. I mean, this whole wicked journey has been quite different for me. And it's been obviously full steam ahead, but it's been so beautiful and so fun.
I really feel like maybe when I was younger and it was like sort of during my first few years as a pop star, I really struggled with boundaries and not being able to say no when I needed to because if I was like running on empty. But I really do feel like I've been able to find a balance and also a team who's really protective and amazing. And I love it.
I really feel like I've thoroughly been able to enjoy this wicked insanity. I feel so present and grateful, and that's been so beautiful.
Well, Sean, you had a tough time with Boundaries when you first were introduced to Oreos. No!
You did it.
I still do. I have to have them locked away. There's a lock on the door.
There's a lock on the door.
So dumb. So dumb.
So dumb. So dumb. Oh, there's lots of dumb here. Where do we get to? Ariana, what if this was your press junket for the sequel to Wicked right now? You started now.
I haven't. I love it. Where does it end? Where does one end?
You'd be like, why is it so low rent?
Shut up.
By the way, we love Wicked. We love the great Mark Platt. He's a friend, a longtime friend. Love Mark and all the people involved with it. And you guys did an amazing job. Incredible. Tears, real tears in my eyes.
And you've already shot the second one, right?
Yes, second one is done. We haven't seen it yet.
Really? Yeah. And it comes out maybe like this time next year? I have seen it.
Yes, the same time next year. So November 22nd, but next year.
I have seen it and it's not good. Ariana, you're barely even in it. All your stuff can be reshot.
I don't want you to worry about it.
Thank you for telling me. Thank you for having my back.
So then you're set to start that junket like in a few months.
I mean, I suppose so. I think maybe there will be a little bit of space in the summer. Let it breathe for a second. But it's very exciting. I mean, the response has just been so insanely not what you expect or ever would anticipate ever.
I know. Could you imagine if it was just a big turd and you had the second one already ready to go and you just knew you had it? Well, it could still happen. God forbid.
But you never know. I'm just kidding.
I've done that. I'm sure we all have, right? We've got to talk about something that just didn't work.
Wait, so Ariana, the last time I saw you was Hairspray Live.
Yes.
And we would share a trailer and you told me the funniest stories that I cannot repeat.
We would giggle.
Wait, wait, go back, go back. So the last time we saw each other, Hairspray Live. Try not to slur your way through your words, Sean. Was where? Hairspray Live on NBC. Hairspray Live. Okay.
And you were sharing a single trailer or we were in a double banger? No, the hair and makeup. Hair and makeup. Oh, gotcha. Okay, so you're chair to chair.
Very fun times. I didn't even know you used to do her hair and makeup. So talk a little bit about that.
Oh my goodness.
Were you just doing a blowout show? Why do you think she looks so good? Ariana, we did a weird talk show in the UK like 10 years ago. Do you remember that at the same day?
Wait, no.
Yeah.
Wait, what weird talk show did we do?
It was called… Chatty Man? Yes. Yeah, with the drink cart.
Oh my God, that's right.
It's back.
Boy, I really leave an impression.
It's not you. It was The Boundaries. Remember?
Maybe. It was just me.
I'm missing a couple of years. I'm super serious from that time. I'm literally missing a few years.
You were, well, so let me remind you, it was disgraceful, your behavior. No, no, no, no, no, you were great. Me? You were great, but, no, no, you were great.
Okay, good.
You were great, but what I wanted to, so, but we met at the time, and you were, how old were you when you first, like, released your first record as a pop star?
I think I was 19 when my first single off my first album came out. Or 20. I was either 19 or 20.
And had you been making music since you were a kid? She was in the musical 13 on Broadway.
Yeah, I was... Yeah, I was a total theater nerd. I did Broadway first when I was 14, and then I was acting for a little bit, but I was always simultaneously writing songs and doing music. I just never expected it to kind of take over the way that it sort of did in like, you know, a beautiful way. I just think that there was no way to kind of prepare for that, especially, yeah.
So you were a theater nerd, and then you were like, oh, wait a second, the world wants me to be a pop star, and you just kind of went that way for a while? Yeah.
Yes, I mean, I was, I am a theater nerd through and through. And, you know, this very insane journey with music kind of took over my life for a very long time. And it was extraordinary, but very challenging and very not what I expected it to be in certain ways, but so beautiful and gratifying in others. And, yeah, it was just crazy because...
When I was younger, especially after doing 13 on Broadway, I was kind of like, how cool, I get to be part of the theater community. I can't wait to be like, you know, the understudy for the Thoroughly Modern Milli revival and maybe be in the ensemble on the days when I'm not being the swing.
And then I'll do music on the side and hopefully someone will listen to it and that can be like a little side thing and hopefully someone will be into it.
These are all things that are on Sean's vision board. You just named everything that's on his vision board.
Speaking of theater then, musical theater, what was it like the first time you saw Wicked on Broadway?
I mean, it was life-changing. It was literally life before and after seeing Wicked. My life in two chapters.
Did you see it with Idina Menzel and Chenoweth?
I did. I was very spoiled. I can't believe I got to. I saw the original Broadway cast.
When was that?
I was 10. Was it like 10 years ago? Yeah.
21.
21 years ago.
Wow.
Crazy.
Yeah, it was crazy. I mean, it changed my life. I was so obsessed.
And it's got to be so surreal, like, yeah, seeing that. And then now you're in it. Like, Glinda, it's wild.
So then can I ask then, did you hear that they were making a movie of Wicked and you threw your hat in the ring?
Yes, that's putting it very lightly. I was stalking Mark Platt. I actually was literally in the bushes outside his house. No, I wasn't, but maybe I was. No, I was on tour. I was on the Sweetener tour, and I had... I heard murmurs of, okay, this thing is gearing up to happen. And I told my team, I was like, hey, we're going to have to have a plan. I don't know what to do.
But if God forbid, if God forbid I'm still on the road when this thing starts happening, we are going to have to like, you know. Refund some tickets. Pay everyone working on the tour. Yes. To just like, you know, here's whatever, go away. I have to figure this out. I have to give my everything to this and I have to start training.
I have to make sure I'm in classes to train my voice every day and with an acting coach every day just to get back into it. And also Glenda requires a whole new skill set that I didn't have a connection to anymore because I was on the road for 10 years. And I was just like, I have to make this my full-time gig. I have to... do everything in my power just to get a chance to earn it.
I want to make sure that when my audition, if I get an audition, that I'm fucking ready. Did they make you audition? Yeah, I mean, of course it's wicked. Of course it's wicked.
Would you have to do like a self-tape or did you go in there in person?
On your phone? I mean, it was such a, it was a thorough experience as it should be. I mean, I think, you know, there's just so much that is required of Glinda that's so different from what I usually do.
I am Ariana. I'm five foot six. I'm from New York. And this is my first...
Wow, 5'6". Do I present 5'6"? I wish. Oh, my God.
Wow. You're 5'6 presenting.
5'6 presenting. No, sorry.
What's amazing, though, about what you just said about having to audition and show up and show your... I was just blown everybody knows you can sing and sing really well thank you but to be able to legit sing like that like you like we both go we both see Eric Vitro Eric taught me how to sing and he coaches you and he's the greatest vocal coach ever in the world yeah
Yes, and to watch you, like, I was talking to Jason and Will about the athleticism of your voice and Cynthia's voice and, like, what that requires. I'm watching you on screen, like, breathing with you, like, as you, and then the legit, like, diaphragm, like, the power you have is so incredible and you can't teach it, you know?
Thank you, that is true.
Yeah, you just made me think of something, Sean. Ariana, when you're dancing and singing at the same time, do you constantly have to monitor not running out of breath because you're dancing? Like you need the breath for singing, but you're exercising with dancing too. Is that a challenge?
Well, yeah, it's just kind of something that you build up to. So there's a lot of physical training. There's like, you know, whatever you can do, cardio Pilates every morning. Then before the rehearsals, hopefully it feels like a little easier. Like the more you do ahead of it, the more it's easier. Do you sing on the treadmill to get used to it?
Sometimes, yeah. You know, I was thinking that like all that training that you did, again, you started in the theater and then you kind of, you know, became this huge pop star, but maintained that love for theater.
I wonder if, and I'm asking, I guess, being on tour and singing and performing in front of big, huge audiences must have been all those years turns out was maybe great preparation, was it?
Yeah, it's funny because I feel like it's like, yes, but also I feel like working with Jason Robert Brown at the age of 13 was my preparation for that.
I was like, oh my goodness, the only reason I can keep up with this tour where I'm singing all of these songs live for two and a half hours every night or however long it is or whatever it is, that it's very demanding and then traveling on a dry bus or in a dry plane or whatever it is and the only reason I can keep up with that I credit to being on Broadway. So it goes back and forth kind of.
It's like just this stamina that I am so grateful that I got to build at a young age because, you know, Jason gave me the hard, like I couldn't, I love Jason Robert Brown because he is like, can you do that? And it's like, I don't know. And he's like, you got it. And it's just like, okay, great, I'll figure it out.
Because he said you got it, you got it, yeah.
Yeah, it's like a second longer of a note than you think you can hold or a higher note, one note higher than you think you can sing. And he's like, perfect, you take that harmony. And I think that trained me to be able to do the singing that I was doing and then it went back and forth, I suppose.
And forgive the term legit because it's all legit. Even pop singing is legit.
No, I know what you mean.
You know what I mean. So do you want to do more of that? Because I'd never seen you do that until Wicked. I've never seen you sing legit like that.
Well, you know, it felt really wonderful to kind of have a little surprise. And so it was really special for me.
Yeah. And we will be right back. And now back to the show.
Backing up a little bit, the start of your career was great. So you do like this big musical on Broadway. You start doing some acting and that really takes off as far as, you know, kid success goes. Like you're killing it because you're on a big series, I think on Nickelodeon perhaps. Yeah. And all the while you're thinking and dreaming and trying for some singing as well.
And that's really the passion. And your team is probably, I'm assuming, kind of supportive. Yes, but not really sure. Well, should we throw the baby out with the bathwater? Can we do both? Like, what was the thing in singing?
What was the big success that gave you comfort and your team comfort that you could kind of transition away from acting a little bit more and really pursue this musical career?
Well, I think it just kind of, I followed it in a way. Because, you know, the whole time I was a cat on Nickelodeon, I was also writing like pop R&B music on the side. I would go from set to the studio and I would be like making these songs that I was probably too young to put out yet. And, you know, it was just a funny, interesting thing. And I remember there was a blurry time when
Nickelodeon kind of wanted the music that I was writing to potentially be for the show. So there was a moment where I actually put out a song with a red hair and it was very kind of in the Cat Valentine mindset because I didn't know if I was supposed to be myself yet or not.
And then someone that I was very close to that was very supportive and a really, really, really loving, wonderful person in my life was like, hey, they're going to love you as you, with brown hair, singing R&B-inspired pop, and just fucking wing it and put that out. And I did, and it was really cool. It was cool to see the people not...
know the connection or discover that and then realize the connection and they accepted you it was just cool yeah it was it was scary but cool and i've learned a lot along the way you know it's it's weird right what you've done and again like you've you know you've done so much in this you know in the music space and the acting space and the combo with the musicals and now as jason said when he intro'd you you're getting into other businesses and and
cosmetics, I guess, and a lot of other things. Like you're taking on a lot of, are those other things giving you that same, are you getting that same sort of like hunger for success in those other areas? Are you finding them rewarding getting into business and doing stuff like that? Has that been a fun experience?
It's definitely been a fun experience, and I definitely love creating in all capacities and storytelling in any capacity. I really do love my fragrance and my beauty brand and that stuff. It's really fun, and I think it's a totally different part of my brain. My mom is a CEO, and she's very much a business person.
Oh, cool.
And my dad is an artist, so I think I kind of sit— exactly in between the two of them. And these two parts of me are very hungry in very different ways. And I enjoy it. I enjoy creating. But I think, obviously, my loves of my life are acting and music. It's not even a comparison. I feel grateful for every area in which I can be a creative person who makes stuff. But it's not necessarily the same.
But it's something I love very much. Yeah.
you know when you said uh earlier about um with the with the music you weren't really sure if you were allowed to be you and and um it's sort of a weird question but like with all of the success that you are having and have had in all of these different areas all of those things can be really affecting on on who you are obviously to the public but really who you are internally because
they can kind of pull you and push you into areas of yourself you would like to be or areas that you really didn't think that you were, or at least the perception of you. So, excuse me, how are you managing keeping a natural sort of progression of who you are, who you would like to be as far as letting these outside things identify who you are and, and, Does that make any sense?
No, it makes total sense. And it's also something that I have to be so protective of. Because I think, like, as an artist, the most important thing is authenticity and kind of making the records that I want to make.
And talking about the things, singing about the things that mean something to you, right? Exactly.
Totally. But, you know, I also, I also am like a cancer and a recovering people pleaser. And I like in the past. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Hi. Hello.
Recovering people pleaser. I am. I am.
I am. I wish there were a group. Oh, my God. I'm needing.
Let's start. Just me and you. Let's go. Please. Hang on one second. So, Jason, pleasing people is something. Okay. How do you?
to phrase this but no that is such a great term but it's true it's such a thing that we have to fight to protect as people who like have a connection with our our listeners our fans and also remaining true to ourselves and what's in our hearts and i feel like i've been
doing a really great job at that recently but it's just such a it's such a hard line to to walk it's like no i'm gonna write the songs i want to write i have to make the album that i want to make and i have to um kind of tune as much of the noise out so that i can just be an honest person which has been hard work especially when you come into it at 19 sorry
No, that's great. You know, I was thinking too, like, by the way, exact same person.
Long-winded. I'm like so long-winded.
No, same. No, that's what you're for. No, yeah. And we're going to cut all of it out. Oh, okay.
I'm kidding. My whole presence. Cut the whole presence.
No, no, no. Sorry, he's going to ask you questions, so get ready to think of your favorite colors right now. Go ahead, Sean.
Or something weird happened on stage. Something weird happened in the theater. Anybody ever get lippy in the audience?
Oh my God, I could talk to you for 17,000 hours about that. Go ahead, Sean, then do it. I could. No, Ariana, like in the back of your head, get like a great theater story ready because I love those. Like things that go wrong. Like I have so many of them. But... Still did it anyway. Yeah, well, you get it ready.
So I want to talk about like getting... Do you have a... What is it like with the... How do you handle the ups and downs of being... I hate saying this, but relevant. Because, for example, like Taylor Swift, like... I don't remember anybody talking about her five, six, seven, eight, nine years ago.
I mean, sure, she had many, many fans and she was very famous and popular, but she wasn't like she is now. And it goes up and down and up and down for everybody in this entire entertainment business. And so for me, I've always been a huge fan of yours, but Wicked really like, oh my God, there's Ariana Grande and everything.
And it's not that people didn't think that when you had an album come out or a tour come out, but the ups and downs when you're quiet. Yeah, there's these spikes. Yeah, there's those spikes. How do you handle or what do you do during the low spikes?
I don't know. I mean, I try not to look at spikes or for them or monitor them. I think I'm a person who wasn't meant to be famous, but I love the art of making and
creating so much that I think like my insatiable need to just kind of make things and create and try to push myself to grow in different directions and you know learn new things and see what I can yeah I just I kind of try to focus on that as much as possible and I think it helps me survive otherwise I really think if I paid more attention that I would like not I would go away I think it's just too scary chase it yeah
Well, you're adding layers to it too, which is really cool. Like you're adding different dimensions to what you do. So it's like people can't just go like, what is Ariana Grande? They're not like, oh, she's just a pop star. No, she's an actress.
That's such a scary thought to even think like, oh, what are they doing? thinking right now. Like the healthiest thing for me is to disconnect as much as humanly possible. Of course I have like the internet and I'm on my phone, you know, I, whatever, love Instagram. But you know, I'm a person who tries to maintain a healthy distance from it because I think
It's like the same thing I would tell a young person who's like, what do you do when you hear no all the time? Those spikes feel like big no's again. It feels like I didn't get a call back for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and I'm eight years old or something.
It's the same thing.
Chitty Bang Bang.
But as you add those layers and you have those moments, what are the things then now as you kind of look forward and go like, okay, I've done that. Like, what are the new targets? Do you have new targets?
Yeah, how do you define success nowadays?
Yeah, yeah, exactly. How do you find success?
Oh my goodness. First of all, all of you have to answer this hard-ass question after I'm done. Everyone has to answer. We're taking turns. This is the first official meeting of people pleasing recovery.
I'll bet it's somewhere around like, are you able to maintain happiness and calm and peace and harmony each day amidst so much conflict? complicated, challenging kind of stuff.
Yeah, I suppose it's like, yeah, I mean, amen to that. I mean, how can we find that balance, maintain that balance, but also like is the work that I'm taking on something that can challenge me, that I can grow from, that I haven't done before, that I'm learning from, that I'm giving like to the character in the same way that it's maybe going to teach me or feed me? I don't know.
And maybe success is the experience of creating and not the result of.
Right. Totally.
I don't think so. How can I?
Yeah, I mean, it's probably true with anybody on the planet, no matter what industry or occupation they're in, if you can maintain happiness each day, because it's such a slippery thing, right?
JB, we talk about it all the time, which is this notion of, look, we have the benefit, I'm going to say benefit, of being a lot older than you are. And I think that... For me, in the last couple of years, it's been really eye-opening in the sense that I... First of all, I don't measure my personal success as not a reflection of what I do professionally.
So how I feel is not a reflection of what I do. I've really been able to separate those things up because if... I try as hard as I can to not be at the effect of circumstances. If I'm only happy if it's sunny out, then what the fuck happens when it rains? Then I'm fucked. So I got to figure out a way to be happy no matter what. And those are sometimes just the smallest things.
And family, we all have kids, you know, so it's like my relationship with my kids, my, you know, if my kids are happy, then I'm happy. All that kind of stuff, those are the things that really come to the forefront and become important. My relationship with my friends. Yeah, stuff you can control. Something you can control, but also stuff that's for real important.
My relationship with these guys is very important. Staying connected, talking about what's going on, all that kind of stuff. And everything else, when you kind of right-size all that other stuff, it feels so much better. I don't know if you guys agree, but it does for me. For sure.
I fully agree.
Yeah. And Ariana, I know you didn't ask for this, but you've gotten it because you are... Uh, seemingly such a, a, a, a kind and easily likable, lovable person, not to mention your, your success, but the, the youth, um, you know, really looks up to you and follows you.
Uh, and, and so how do you manage that sort of, you know, responsibility that, that again, you didn't, you didn't sign up for, but you've got it. Do you, you think about that? Like when you're writing lyrics or when you're taking on, you know, roles or is any of that factor in?
Um, no, I mean, yeah, I mean, here's the thing.
Probably not an effort because you're just naturally sort of a decent person and they're going to follow a good example.
I mean, that's very generous and kind. I just feel like it's kind of a really specific and strange thing to become a public person at, like, a really young age and then to have kind of all this normal growth that happens in...
in everyone's 20s and young teen years and whatever it is, in front of an audience and in front of people who, you know, don't have to have every mistake that they've ever made flashed in front of them and, like, reminded every two seconds. It's, like, it's interesting. It's, like, a funky thing. But, you know, all we can actually do is grow and, like... be human, become more and more human.
I think in the face of being dehumanized and objectified, we can just become more and more human, I guess.
Well, that's interesting. Again, it sounds like there's some kind of international incident going on.
Yeah.
They're going to find you, Ariana. But you bring up a... That must be interesting in a very unique situation and something that's been talked about in obviously... JB, Jason was a performer when he was young and grew up in that world as well in a different way. Singing and dancing. Singing and dancing.
If you wanted Jason to die on the spot, tell him he's got to sing and dance and he will expire in front of you. Give a toast. Well, giving a toast. Yeah, giving a toast. But Ariana, to go through your 20s, with that kind of scrutiny. Talk a little bit about that. I can't imagine.
I think about, you guys, think about all the dumb shit you did in your 20s, and then imagine growing up in this world, the digital era, where everything is, people got an opinion on it, it gets broadcast. Yeah, people got phones to record you when you're not looking. Yeah, it must be really hard to get your head around it and get your heart around it and all of it.
Yeah, I mean, I'm a very sensitive person. So I can't say it's something that I have done particularly well with.
Well, it's okay.
But it's also something that I have had the help of, you know, my loved ones and therapy and time and art and just like a love for and also like a deep sense of gratitude for people. What I am so privileged to be able to do, like, that has kind of gotten me through it. Every time I kind of experienced that, like, I just kind of had to disconnect, I suppose, for a little.
Because, you know, again, back to the cancer people pleasing, there was always a part of me that wanted to kind of explain or do a big... You know, come talk to the world and come talk to everyone about what the truth is and whatever it is that I'm experiencing, that whatever, or explain things and overshare, you know, for the sake of being understood by a humongous thing of strangers.
And it's just a strange thing to feel at such a young age and what is the boundary there and what's a healthy relationship to it and how do you protect yourself for the sake of being able to continue
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, continue, and just to live. Yeah, yeah.
For what it's worth, from the outside, you know, it seems like you've done a fantastic job with that. I agree. Oh, my God, that's so nice.
And speaking of continuing, you know, like— Sean does not agree.
No, I do. Sean does not agree, and he didn't want to say it.
Ariana, I texted you a bunch of thoughts. So, no, but speaking of continuing, what I love about you, amongst many things, is your ability to surprise people with choices and things you do. So you go from Broadway, then you go to be a pop star, and then you're an actress, and then you do all of these things.
But one of the things that was so surprising was I don't think anybody knew how unbelievably hilarious you are. Oh, my God, that's so nice. And your Saturday Night Live, we, like, died laughing. And your Jennifer Coolidge impression. Like, all of your impressions are so incredible. Thank you. We're in the world. Nobody knew you could do that.
And so it's like, if we don't know you can do that, imagine the next hundred things you're going to do over the next, you know, 50 years or whatever. Yeah, exactly. That's so nice. I'm so excited. Can you give us a little Jennifer Coolidge? Hey, Jen, what's up? Jennifer, what's up? Can she visit with us real quick? Why weren't you on the White Lotus, the sequel? The White Lotus, Jennifer.
They fucking killed it. It pushed me off a goddamn boat.
Oh, my God. It's so good, right, guys?
I didn't want to die. Jesus Christ. But I guess I'm dead. Oh, my God.
That's creepy. Close your eyes. It's so good. I love her.
I love her, too.
Shit, that's fucking spot on. Oh, my God. Sean, that must make you want to have talent, right? I mean, just hearing her do that. Yeah.
All I want is a hot dog. I can't do it without you. Jesus Christ. Ariana, so that reminds me of the whole voice thing. What is the weirdest thing you do to prep your voice when you're about to go do a concert? Are you like breathing a bunch of like steam? Are you gargling milk? No, no. Oh my God, never milk. What goes on? Anything?
No? Well, okay, so different things call for different kind of routines and tools, I guess. This is like, I feel like, so, I don't know, I feel like a nerd, but, you know, if you need the extra, like, you can have a little vocal box where there's, like, all of the lozenges and sprays and hydration things and whatever, but that's mostly if you're, like, fatigued or have a cough or whatever it is.
I don't usually, I don't know, usually I can... But I think the thing that I do that perplexes people so much, and it's just so funny because if you're a person who uses their voice, you know about this. It's like, if I have a long day of press or if I have to sing, I'll place it a little higher. So I'll change my vocal placement to kind of preserve that.
But that is just kind of something that's healthy for the voice and whatever. That's something I need.
Because staying higher gives less stress on it than talking in a lower register?
Yeah, so it's just like basically pitching your voice up a tiny bit.
I agree. That's what I do. I do the same thing.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, but it's just a normal thing for vocalists. But people are like, that's not her natural voice. And I'm like, well, it is actually, but it's just a little higher because all of it is natural. And it's so funny because we've talked about it a zillion times and people are still like, where's your real voice? And I'm like, well, they all are. So it's just interesting.
Yeah, do you sing every day?
No. I mean, casually, yeah. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm kind of insufferable to be around because I do sing all the time every day. And yeah, the answer is yes, not no.
The answer is yes. I sing in the shower all the time. I wouldn't dare. All the time. What do you sing, Sean? I sing the National Anthem. Can we get a little taste of it? Can we have it? Go ahead, Sean. Just a little bit.
Oh, I can hear the water trying to get back up into the faucet. Hit the next one. I want to hear that.
That's how we could.
I'm bursting in air.
Word. Right. You're welcome.
Choices.
I love it. We've proved. Wow, wow, wow.
We'll be right back. And back to the show.
Speaking of routines, walk us through a typical day for you if nothing's on your plate. You have a completely free day. Are you one that sleeps in? Do you like to read? Are you watching dumb movies? If you've got nothing on your plate, what's the day look like?
Oh, I love this. Well, I love to wake up early. I do. Like if I need it, I feel like my body will tell me and I get like one sleep in a month. Like the whole month is relying on this one day where my body just decides that it's going to sleep and then it sleeps. You know what I mean? Like a really scary slumber. Like knock, knock. Is everyone okay? Yeah, I'm good. I'm good. I'm good.
Otherwise, you're up at the crack of ice.
Yeah, I like to get up and I like to do my steps. I like to pace on the treadmill with my little iPad and I either like I'm playing a game, a virtual game, or I'm texting my team and like whatever. I'm very creative when I'm on the treadmill. So I have ideas and I'll sound like crazy. Crazy voice notes to Christian Breslauer, the director that I work with on all my music videos. I don't know.
I always have ideas on the plane. I'll either be texting him or my stylist Mimi or my team. I'll be like, oh my God, we forgot to talk about this. It gets my brain going. I love to get my steps done early. And then I'll hang out. You're laughing at me already. I haven't even said anything. I like to cook.
I like to play games with my family.
I like to cook on the treadmill.
What's your go-to dish? What do you cook best?
Well, I'm vegan, so I like to make, yeah, I love to roast like mushrooms of different variants and make like a vegan pesto and make like, why? I hate mushrooms.
I like it. I don't eat mushrooms. I can't eat mushrooms. Well, you're not invited.
Tofu, sweet potatoes.
So then you can have pasta as a vegan, right?
Yeah, yes.
So then you're doing the pesto with the pasta. I'm back in.
I'm back in. I'm Italian, so we have to have that, you know.
Do you spend any time over there in Italy?
No, no, actually. I haven't been since I was on tour, and I would love to in a more meaningful, because I have more time way.
Because so much is required of you every day of your life in so many areas. Are you a germ freak? Are you like, I can't get sick, I can't get sick?
I am a little bit of a germ freak. I do maintain the mask stuff.
Oh, you do?
I love a mask. I've always been a little bit of a germ person. A little bit of a, like a OCD germ person. Not like, more with mask than it is like obsessive compulsive Purelling. But like, just kind of, I like to stay it.
Or like when you go in an elevator, do you take your sleeve and press the button with your sleeve? Okay.
No, it's not that far, but I also would do that now that you mentioned it. I'm going to start doing it tomorrow.
Wait, what about bare feet on a hotel floor? That's Jason's.
I can do that. Oh, boy.
Okay, so I'm sicker than you are.
I said to Jason, we were just on vacation, and he was like, of course, every time you sit down to eat with Jason, he sits down, he orders, and then he gets up, And he leaves and he comes back and he's holding his hands like he's going into surgery, like a surgeon does. And then he says like, oh, did you sit there? You got your hand? And I go, is everybody else here? And there were like 20 of us.
I go, is everybody else falling down on the ground sick? Is everybody got it? Do we all get infected?
You might. Yeah, you might.
Today you might. That is a scary thing to me with all of the travel and all of the meeting.
Yeah, it's a lot. Now, speaking of masks, I bet you really enjoy the anonymity of walking around with a mask and you can get away with it now because masks are so sort of ubiquitous, right? So, yeah, so are you, have you taken like a big risk with a mask lately? Like, have you done like the, like gone to Disneyland with a mask on? Yeah, or murder.
Because you could walk into a really, a really huge public place that you probably otherwise wouldn't be able to get through. Everybody down.
Wait, do you want to know my secret? I do it all the fucking time. I literally walk around for hours and hours and hours whenever I'm off. That was my next part of my schedule that I was going to tell you on my off day. I meander and I shop and I walk and I go and I go to the movie theater and I see movies and I wear like a little hood and a cap and I'm just like, I have to be able to like...
Explore, otherwise I'll fall apart. I really love it. And then also, I really do enjoy meeting people. So it's fine and I love it. It's really nice. I met the cutest waiter the other day. He was so sweet and he had a little tattoo, a little sweetener tattoo. It made my day. I love meeting people.
So did you pull the mask down and go, hi? Oh, I didn't have a mask on that day.
But no, he was just like...
But do you give people that treat like you're in a store and they're helping you? You're like, oh, this person's cute. Pull the mask down, give them a little treat. Like, look who it is.
And they're like, oh, my God. Well, first of all, I don't always have a mask on. I just mean like if I'm like, you know, meandering around Broadway.
Yeah, yeah. It's the best. I'm here now and I was walking around. I went and got coffee and they asked me to put a mask on. Yeah, they said cover it.
They said they didn't want to see you.
You're so silly. All right, so then what's next on the dream board for acting? Wait, I never got to tell you my thing about the masks. This is, I promise.
And I said, when I said butt, this was the butt, was I've always loved masks. I think they are so cute. And like, I used to sell them as merch on my tour with like a little moon on them because it was like a cute thing that me and my fans like always wore. And it was like a cute thing. And it was like a fashion thing. We liked it.
That's cool.
And then when the pandemic happened, all of my fans were like, we are prepared. We have plenty of these.
We have moon masks.
Yes. Thank you. Sorry. That was what I was going to say.
Good. I love that. Next up is an acting thing or a music thing. What do you think?
Or can you talk about it yet? I would love to continue acting. I feel so connected to it. I really would love to find the right thing that challenges me in a new way. I love it so much. I love it for different reasons than music. It's just so nice to take a break from playing yourself.
Like a caricaturized version of yourself that isn't really yourself, but it kind of is because parts of it are in the songs. So it's just a confusing little thing. And I think what a cool thing it is to find characters that you can kind of jump into.
Right, which are other parts of yourself, the outer reaches, yeah? Yeah.
Yeah, I suppose. I mean, you can heal little parts of yourself through them and with them and for them that you didn't know needed to be looked at. Because when you're, you know, finding commonality.
Comedy versus drama. Do you lean one way or the other, do you think?
I love both, I think.
Yeah.
You know, Glinda had a... The biggest gift of Glinda is that there's a little bit of both, you know. Yeah. Especially with, you know, part two, you get to see more of her and get to know more of her. And she goes through a little bit more. But, you know, it's... The combination is really special. I think I love roles that have room for all of it. Right.
And that's what I love so much about her is that... The comedy plays so well because it's just truth, and underneath it is a very real person with very real insecurities and fears and things, and it just gets to live there. So hopefully both, and if I'm lucky, both in one. Yeah.
Yeah. I think it's, Sean, I have always thought that you should try comedy. Yeah. You know what I mean?
Yeah.
Give it a shot, buddy.
Yeah, you should. I'm going to really. Well, you know what? Thank you for the push. Thank you for the push.
Maybe take an improv class or something just to sort of see if it's for you. That would be a really good exercise for you, actually.
Well, should we do one now? Give me a place. Let's do one now. Give me a place. Let's do one.
What about the music videos?
Sorry, go ahead.
Do you love getting involved with the music videos and the whole design of them and the concept of them and the shooting of it and all that? Yeah, I love the Yes And one.
Oh, thank you. Thank you. I really feel like I found my lifelong music video collaborator in Christian Breslauer, who I just started working with for the Eternal Sunshine era. He did Yes And, he did We Can't Be Friends, he did The Boy's Mind, he did all of those things. And not that you have any idea what those are, but I just plan on continuing with him forever.
When there's something to do, it will be with him. I love him. And I love it. It's so collaborative. We speak the same language. We love all the same references. We just kind of were destined to meet. You know when you meet a creative person and you're like, where have you been my whole life? And it's just kind of this cosmic collision.
But like, so when you're in the recording studio and let's say you're not in the recording area, whatever that's called, but you're back where the board is with all the slidey things on it. Do you love sitting there and playing with those buttons? The slidey things. Yeah.
I'm dying.
Or do you like being on a movie set and like... Talking about lenses or the acting stuff. With all the light things. The shiny stuff. Do you like both of those with those workplaces evenly?
Holy fuck. Yes. I mean, well, I have different relationships to them both because I feel like with acting, I love to just kind of be... The character and go away and not have, like, I don't want to know what the playback looks like. I don't want to know or be aware of what my face is doing or my body is doing. I just want it to happen and then hopefully it'll make sense later. Right.
Which is a huge risk. Yeah. I realize I'm saying that, but also, you know, I just don't want to be aware of it because I just want to be honest. And then if I'm judging what I look like or whatever, I won't have the ability to just be a character. And that's my own thing in my head. But with vocal producing, I'm like... It's my favorite thing in the world. So yes, the slidey thingies, of course.
It's my number one favorite thing to do even more so than singing is vocal production and comping vocals and stacking and vocal arranging. I'm like a huge nerd in that way.
So what about like taking on a young performer and producing that performer and making he or she, you know, really sore? Love.
being able to vocal produce. Literally, that is just a dream. If someone calls me and is like, I want you to record me, I absolutely have done it, will do it, love it, will take that call any day. Actually, wait, I have a fun story. I got to vocal produce some of the Wicked soundtrack. I got to vocal produce Cynthia and some of my stuff too, so that was really cool and such a treat.
to anyone who questions the live element of the vocals in Defying Gravity, in that second verse, when she's going up the stairs in Defying Gravity, if you solo that vocal, you can hear her little boots on the stairs.
Oh, wow. Oh, wow. That's amazing. Yeah, it's so cool that you guys sing it live. It's crazy.
Yeah, heaven on earth is being able to sift through a bunch of Cynthia Erivo vocal takes. You know what I mean? Because it's not about finding the good one. It's about finding which perfect, amazing one is the choice that you want.
Did you hear that thing that was going around for a while that on New Year's Eve, if you started watching the movie at a certain time, by midnight, you would hit the, whoa!
Yes. I saw several videos of that. Yeah.
I read that, Will, right? On the website?
Yeah, I saw that too. Yeah, it came up on your feed. That was my next, I was about to, and Sean cut me off and took my fucking, remember with the New Year's, and I was like, right at, it was like, whoa, and I was like, fuck.
Why'd you miss it? Why'd you miss out? You missed out, you missed out. No. Wait, so Ariana, I don't know why I'm remembering this, but one of the cutest, greatest things you ever did, this is 10 years ago, around 10 years ago, we were doing Hairspray Live. We were sitting there in the makeup trailer, and you said to me... Oh, God.
And you said, just a little off the top. Oh, God. Just a little off the top.
Just tease off the top a little bit more. I'm so scared. No, no. You said, you turned to me and you said, hey, there's just a few of us going over to my house after later on tonight. We're going to get totally wasted and sleep over. Wait, and then sleep over. And in the morning, my mom's going to make us pancakes. Did I say that? Yes. And that was so sweet.
You invited me and I turned to you and I go, Ariana? You said, yeah. I go, I'm 45 years old. That is absolutely crazy. That is so sweet though. It was so sweet.
Yes.
Oh, yes. I can't believe that that's how I would have ever said anything, ever. And I actually do remember that cast party. That was so funny. And I remember...
Can you believe that was almost 10 years ago? Isn't that wild?
It was a long time ago.
And I just wanted to bring up that your boyfriend is a very good friend of mine.
Yes, he loves you so much.
I love him too, Ethan Slater. He's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet in your life. He did Goodnight Oscar with me in Chicago. Really? Come on. Yes, and then he was on Wicked. Yeah, and now you guys are dating and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple. Oh, thank you.
He's amazing and he loves you.
What part did he play? He was the PA guy with the, you know.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
But Ariana, next time you're on or whenever, I want to hear a horrible theater story gone wrong in 13 or some other theater show because of my favorite stories. I have a thousand of them.
I have some.
Yeah, tell me one. We've got time for one. Then we're going to let you go.
No, that's totally fine.
I realize you all probably have a hard out of right now. No, no, no. You do. I feel like I'm having tea with the dames and I'm in heaven. No, no, no. It's yours.
Tea with the dames.
So my best friend, Aaron Simon-Gross, who I actually grew up in Boca with, and he and I auditioned for 13 on the same day together, and we both got cast, which is like never happens crazy. He was playing Archie, which was the character in the show, and he has these spontaneous nosebleeds that are just really fucking... Yeah, but it's the kind from a scary movie. It's not good.
It's aggressive, and it's not the kind of thing that is like...
Aggressive nosebleeds.
Yeah. You know when you see something and it takes you out of body for a second?
Yeah, yeah.
Because you're not supposed to be happening at all. So he's in the wings waiting for his entrance, and we used to have this cute moment in the opening number where I was on stage, and I would sing one of the lines into the wings, so we would lock eyes and have a cute little moment, and then go back to the choreography.
And one day, because it was right before his entrance, so I'm like, okay, 13, and I look over to lock eyes with Aaron and do the choreography his way, and then I turn back. And I see him covered in blood, just covered in blood. And I was like, oh my God. And he had to enter and get through his entire first scene.
Was he aware that he was bleeding?
Yeah, he was looking at me like he had no idea what to do. And also his character, he was using crutches in the role, and he couldn't wipe himself.
Did the audience gasp?
Yeah, they were like, and then when they realized it wasn't a part of the plot at all, that this just like blood-covered man was entering, and then he was singing, and he's like singing, and he's like, there's the cool kids, there's... And he's like singing his first number... spitting blood onto Graham Phillips, who was playing the lead role.
It was just like the craziest thing, and it never ended.
That's a good one. Did you try to help him out?
There was nothing to do. How? Just keep your distance, right? I had to exit.
One time I was at the end of Promises, Promises, thank you. I would, thank you, thank you.
We usually, no, we'll create space and put the applause in there.
We were coming out, me and Kristen Chenoweth were coming out for our bows and we would do the same thing. We'd be in the wings from opposite sides of the stage and lock eyes before we'd come out and meet at the middle to come downstage for our bow. And one night, the audience is clapping. Everybody's taking their bows.
And where I'm supposed to see her, she's on the ground, passed out with her feet under the curtain like the Wicked Witch of the West. No. On the house. Yes. And I was like, oh, my God. So I took my bow by myself. People were like, what happened? Did she faint? She did. She fainted. No way. Oh, no.
You know what the thing is? This just reminded me. This is a true story. On Sunday, I was shooting this thing in California, and we were at lunch, and there were a bunch of us sitting around in the trailer, and this girl who works in costumes all of a sudden comes out of the bathroom, and she's going like... like waving her finger. And Eli goes, you can't talk. And she goes, uh-uh.
And she goes back and I go, you can't breathe. And she goes, uh-uh. And I've never done it before. And I jumped up. And I put my arms around her. And I had three times and she barfed on my hands. And it got it out. Oh, my God. I've never done it before. But I was like, I think this is what you do. Did you have to do it like aggressively? Yeah.
Because you got to get it out of there. Well, I guess we can't count on Eli. He just was like, oh. And he just hit it.
And then when I grabbed her, he went out to get the paramedic, and the paramedic came in, and she was like, I'm fine now. And I'm like covered and threw up. I'm like, she's fine now.
She was choking.
She was choking, yeah.
Oh, my God, Will. That's fucking scary.
It was pretty wild. I don't even know if I was really doing it right. It worked. But I didn't know what I was doing. And I thought like, oh shit, I should learn how to do it properly. You need to learn that and CPR. And CPR. And I've been asking people on the street here if they want to practice CPR. And all these dudes are like, no, and whatever. But anyway...
Can I get your number? I'll try later.
I'll let you try later. But isn't that crazy? Yeah, that's a lot.
I'm surprised you didn't include that in coffee chat at the top of the episode.
I forgot about it until we were just talking about crazy things. And I was like, oh yeah, this just happened three days ago.
Well, on that note, Ariana, we hope you don't choke.
Yeah, man. Thanks for being on. Thank you.
Holy fuck. Thank you so much for having me.
I hope I don't ever have to save your life, I guess is my point.
Oh, my goodness.
We'll see you in six months in London. Yes. Continued great luck. You are the best. Thank you for having me. Thank you for saying yes to this. Enjoy the rest of your day. Thanks.
Love you all.
Thank you. And love to Ethan, too, please.
I will. Love you guys.
Bye. Thank you so much. Bye-bye. Bye.
That was Ariana Grande, the Ariana Grande.
Awesome.
A pure delight.
She's great.
Yeah.
She's so funny, man. You know, that's what I said.
What a talent, man.
People don't know how funny she is. Yeah, she's funny.
I mean, they do now because Glinda was really funny. I can't wait for people to discover how funny you are. If you take that improv class and you get yourself an agent, I bet you get a guest spot or two or three. Thanks. And then people are going to say, hey.
Well, at the very least, I think you'll get an agent.
Yeah.
Hey, guys, did you ever get this when you were younger?
Can you hook me up with your agent? Right. Can you get me? Yeah. No.
But, yeah, I would love to see her do tons more acting.
Yeah. I think that's what's going to happen. I think she's going to do a straight acting gig will be next. Yeah, for sure. Yep, yep. And she's going to kill it.
And she's just starting, right? She's 30, 31, something like that? Yeah, kind of amazing. With all of that success already. Yeah. But has a great head on her shoulders, clearly, and seems well-suited for all that's a-coming.
Yeah, and you know what? A great musical that she— Oh, hang on a second, Sean.
Hang on, Sean.
Sean, do you want to cut in with something? Because you're ready to get on it and to get on the— He's got a great one. I just thought maybe like a— You know, if there's— Have you ever heard the expression, like, smell the roses or just fucking just exist and not act out in the moment to get stuff done as quickly as possible?
I thought that you were setting up like a buy.
Yeah, yeah. Shut the hell up, Will.
No, I'm teaching you a lesson.
Sean, thank you. Sean, what do you got? I was going to say what? Here he comes. A musical that I'd really like to see her in. Bye Bye Birdie.
Bye.
There's something about your face, and hopefully we're still recording. There's something about your face when you go, yeah. And I'm like, okay, here we go. SmartList is 100% organic and artisanally handcrafted by Rob Armjarff, Bennett Barbico, and Michael Gray.