9781422273289

CHAPTER 1

A STAR

IS BORN

MUSICAL MARVEL Ever since the release of “TheWay,” Ariana Grande has been on a chart- topping spree, flexing her vocal muscles for the world to savor. The whirlwind of top-selling albums and must-see concerts shows no hint of slowing anytime soon. In 2018–2019, she pulled off the unthinkable: releasing two No. 1 albums— Sweetener and Thank U, Next —within the hard-to- fathom span of just six months. Plus, she embarked on her fourth tour—the Sweetener WorldTour—that played throughout the United States, went to Europe for a couple of months, and then announced another set of U.S. dates to close out 2019. Along the way, Grande also swung by Indio, California, to headline Coachella, becoming the youngest to do so in the storied history of this annual arts and music festival that attracts a quarter of a million people. A true musical marvel, the notes Grande hits and somehow maintains are stunning. Her stage presence—from her signature high ponytail to her bold fashion and captivating choreography—is spectacular. Oozing charisma, and willing to bare her soul on stage, Grande possesses that rare ability to connect with fans and audiences across the globe. With more than 300 million followers on Instagram andTwitter combined, Grande is one of the most followed entertainers in the world. She was

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a star is born