What the Hell Happened: Ariana Grande Impersonations

As a recent host on SNL, Ariana Grande proved herself to be a triple threat—great at singing, acting, and now comedic impersonations. In a sketch where she played a lowly Tidal intern named Chloe, Grande displayed her vocal versatility in brilliant impersonations of Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Shakira, and Britney Spears. Her imitations could hardly be more spot-on… which begs the question: Could it be that Grande has been singing vocals for these music icons this whole time?

Grande first hinted at her impersonating prowess back in 2015 on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, when she gave a spot-on impression of Celine Dion’s “Beauty and the Beast.” That video garnered nearly 32 million views on Youtube; this sketch on SNL has, as of publication time, been viewed almost 10 million times and has served as the source material for a plethora of Vines featuring Grande.

What’s more, Grande also delved into actor territory, impersonating Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence in another sketch on SNL. Grande, wearing a blond shoulder-length wig, uncannily resembled Lawrence, adding further fuel to the theory that Grande provides vocals for the young actress. Lawrence herself confirmed that she hated singing. How was it, then, that she sang in the “Hunger Games” series, seemingly so effortlessly, to release hit single “The Hanging Tree?” It’s well known that actors rarely dabble in the music industry successfully. Could it be that Lawrence, too, is a client of Grande’s vocal services?

What does all this mean? Does no one use her own voice anymore? Is Grande’s voice even her own, or has it been reappropriated by the numerous talents she just “impersonated?”

All this speculation might just be a well-hidden, successful publicity stunt meant to bolster interest in “Dangerous Woman,” Grande’s upcoming new album. But these impersonations are too spot-on not to consider this dangerous new possibility.

—Staff writer Mila Gauvin II can be reached at mila.gauvin@thecrimson.com.