Indeed, Ariana even got emotional when detailing the impact her mom Joan Grande has had on her life and career.
“I feel like there have been a lot of times when I've been doing my best work creatively, and yet my celebrity has been louder than the work,” she explained through tears. “And my mom has always been here to set the record straight in my head and remind me of my worth as an artist and as a human being every time that noise has almost derailed me.”
Meanwhile, Ariana has also been changed for good by her late grandmother Marjorie “Nonna” Grande, who died at age 99 in June.
“I attempt to channel her strength always,” she continued, noting she carries two of Nonna’s lip balms everywhere she goes. “I always have a little bit of her with me.”
In addition to the influence she’s gained from her mom and grandma, Ariana makes sure to carry gratitude as she moves forward.
“Never in my life did I expect to be an Oscar-nominated actress,” she said. “I just never thought I’d be seen that way by the industry that I love. I give my life to art every minute of every day. So to feel embraced back—and to share it with my mom—is so extraordinary.”
While Ariana earned an Oscar nod for Wicked last year, she was left out of the 2026 haul. Read on to see the other snubs, and surprises, from this year’s nominations.
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