Ariana Grande Impressions VS the Actual Person

Ariana Grande Impressions Vs. the Actual Person

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at Ariana Grande’s impersonations of her famous contemporaries and comparing them to the real deal

#10: Rihanna

We first saw Grande’s RiRi impression when she played Chloe, the intern in this now widely famous “SNL” sketch. Following a technical glitch, Chloe is tasked with recreating some of the platform’s lost music, including Rihanna. Grande puts her own spin on the singer’s rich-with-a-touch-of-huskiness sound, but we’d say she mostly sounds like Ariana Grande singing a Rihanna song. We guess the main point they were trying to get across here is that many listeners didn’t quite catch the lyrics to “Work” the first several times they heard it. Still, she kinda got Rihanna’s performance style down. It’s an enjoyable impression but hardly Grande’s best.

#9: Whitney Houston

Look, there’s a reason Houston is known as “The Voice.” Capturing her unique, flawless sound, whether in powerful projection or soft warbling, is often challenging to even the most trained and naturally talented vocalists. Yet, if anyone were going to come close, we wouldn’t bet against Grande. Technically, she’s pretty close to nailing Houston’s incredible vibrato and instantly recognizable timbre. We all know she has the vocal power to pull off a song as notoriously hard as “I Will Always Love You.” Nevertheless, if we closed our eyes, we’d still hear Grande singing a bit of Whitney. At least she nailed that iconic look to camera.

#8: Judy Garland

Given Grande’s soaring music career, it’s easy to forget she actually started out as a theater kid. Yet, in this sketch, she embodies the iconic Judy Garland, nailing the performer’s unique gestures and speech patterns while adding her own flair of humor and heart to it. She could’ve just stuck with Garland’s most famous character, Dorothy Gale from “The Wizard of Oz,” and sure, we do catch some hints of Dorothy in there. However, she also reminds audiences that Garland’s legacy extends beyond “Over the Rainbow.” They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if that’s so, Grande must be a superfan.

#7: Amy Lee

In this “Musical Genre Challenge,” Grande’s tasked with putting a Goth Rock spin on Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble.” She decides to channel the rock group Evanescence, and let’s just say, if anyone was looking to start a tribute band, they’d have found their Amy Lee. Grande goes through an entire vocal transformation to adopt Lee’s otherworldly, theatrical, and eerily magnetic sound. She injects the power and the softness in all the right moments, effortlessly echoing the singer’s grandiose voice. The elasticity of her voice is phenomenal! So Ari, when’s the new goth rock album coming out? Or at the very least, an Evanescence collaboration? We’ll be waiting!

#6: Christina Aguilera

Xtina is world-renowned for her outstanding vocal acrobatics, from her jaw-dropping range to that defining vocal grit. Few could come close to her league unless, of course, they happen to have a four-octave range that they can effortlessly switch between—almost as effortlessly as we breathe. Grande easily steps into Aguilera’s voice as she sings “The Wheels on the Bus,” incorporating the singer’s famous vocal embellishments like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Back in 2016, during “The Voice” finale, we got to hear them sing together. Ari could’ve sung the whole number solo, and we’d probably still believe this was a duet.

#5: Shakira

When Shakira sings, it’s almost like she has two voices in one! The way she transitions from her robust and rugged chest voice to a light and almost ethereal falsetto is absolutely extraordinary. Off the top of our heads, we can’t think of any vocalist who can manage that feat or even come close— well, maybe one. From the iconic Chloe, the intern switches on Shakira at the drop of a hat, and it’s super impressive! She seamlessly moves between voices like it’s no big deal. “Whenever, Wherever,” she wants to cover one of Shakira’s classics, we’ll be here for it because we “Le-do-lo-le-lo-ved” this.

#4: Britney Spears

Most of us associate Britney Spears’ singing voice with the one we heard when she released “...Baby One More Time.” It’s a mix of sweet and sultry, and it’s utterly distinctive. If you’ve been a long-time Arianator, you may have heard Grande sing some of Britney’s best-known tunes, impeccably mirroring the pop princess’s vocal style. However, most of us first heard her impression on “The Tonight Show” when she was challenged with singing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” as the pop star. We thought it was brilliant; however, not everyone seemed to agree. Britney complimented the singer on her talent but said she’s heard other impressions that are “Stronger.”

#3: Jennifer Lawrence

The actress’s relatable, down-to-earth persona has become synonymous with her image, while her deep and raspy voice is easily recognizable. When you combine these qualities, they make her a great choice for a loving “SNL” sendup. If you listen to Grande during interviews, you’ll notice she naturally talks in a higher register than JLaw. But we soon discovered that the singer has an impressive vocal range even when she's just speaking. If we weren’t actually seeing her, we’d totally think JLaw was in the room. Don’t just take our word for it; even Lawrence said it was “Spot [word we can’t say here] on,” even if she’d never describe herself as a “regular person.”

#2: Jennifer Coolidge

Let’s say you’re familiar with Jennifer Coolidge’s work, but perhaps you struggle to remember names or attach them to faces. Well, the moment you hear Grande imitate the actress, you’ll know exactly who we’re talking about. Grande did a spot-on impression of Coolidge’s deep, husky voice on “The Tonight Show,” capturing both its seductive and funny sides. She nails the actress’ dry humor and perfect comedic timing. Then, for Halloween 2022, Grande revisited the impression while acting out scenes from the movie “Best in Show,” with Elizabeth Gillies. Coolidge was just one of the many celebs to light up the comment section “like the fourth of July.

#1: Céline Dion

Grande has imitated this icon so many times that we can practically document the evolution of her Céline Dion impression. Viewers of “The Tonight Show,” “The Late Late Show With James Corden,” “SNL” and more have all been treated to this incredible imitation. Whether she’s belting out a classic or throwing a Dion twist on a modern hit, Grande masters it every time. Her voice is a powerhouse, channeling Céline’s signature vibrato and emotional depth with uncanny accuracy. But it’s not just the vocals; Grande captures Céline’s entire essence, from the subtle mannerisms to how she commands the stage. You gotta hear it to believe it! It’s totally Dion-o-mite!

Which Grande impression do you think is the most uncanny? Let us know in the comments!