Ariana pops into Tokyo

POP MUSIC WILL last forever thanks to a never-ending supply of fresh young talent, and, as fans in Japan discovered last weekend, American singer Ariana Grande is one sensational addition. Her pretty face is enough on its own to guarantee her a following, but her raspy soprano and lots of catchy hits will surely keep her around for a long time too.
Born in Florida and based in Los Angeles, the 21-year-old shot to fame last year with her commercially and critically acclaimed debut album, “Yours Truly”, which debuted at No 1 on the US Billboard 200. The first single, “The Way”, was a top 10 hit. Her follow-up album, “My Everything”, repeated the same success, propelled by the global hit “Problem”.
Grande’s fans in Tokyo were treated to a promotional mini-concert last weekend that included the hits “Baby I” from “Yours Truly” and “Break Free”, “Problem” and “Break Your Heart Right Back” from the latest album. We squeezed in for a chat about touring, recording – and puppies.

WHY ARE YOU CALLING THIS THE “HONEYMOON TOUR”?
“Honeymoon Avenue” is my favourite song on the first album. I knew there wouldn’t be a big tour for that album, so I thought, “When the time comes, I want to call it the Honeymoon Tour.” Because it feels like I’m just getting started, like I’m still on a honeymoon with my career. It’s the right word to describe everything in my life right now.

DID YOU GET TO CHOOSE ALL THOSE GREAT ARTISTS YOU COLLABORATED WITH ON THIS ALBUM?
I did, because I’ve been a fan of a lot of these artists for a long time and I thought it would be interesting to see how my sound matched theirs. And it made for some good songs! I also love the idea of working with artists who people wouldn’t necessarily think I’d work with. I like to surprise people!

THIS NEW ALBUM HAS A LOT OF ELECTRONIC-DANCE (EDM) FLAIR TO IT.
The EDM thing is huge for a good reason. Lots of people love it and I think it’s a great opportunity for pop artists to try something new and reach new audience, but also for the DJs and producers to try something new as well. It’s beneficial to both.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH JESSIE J AND NICKI MINAJ ON JESSE’S NEW SINGLE “BANG BANG”?
It was such an amazing experience! I’m such a big fan of both of them – a year before that I was listening to them in my bedroom and singing along to a hairbrush.

WHAT KINDS OF MUSIC DID YOU GROW UP LISTENING TO?
It was a mixture of pop, R&B, Broadway, rap – a little bit of everything, actually. I grew up in a very musical household – there was always music playing. My grandparents like music from the ’50s and ’60s – doo-wop and all that. I got a very good musical education.

AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED – SINGING ON A CRUISE SHIP?
No! I sang once on a cruise ship. It was a karaoke song, just for fun. But I was never a cruise-ship singer.
I was doing musical theatre when I was eight, performing at family theatres in small productions. I knew it was what I wanted to do, but it wasn’t till later that I began taking it seriously. I didn’t want to get involved too young – it wouldn’t have been a healthy choice. When I was 14 I had my Broadway debut, though, and I haven’t stopped since.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN SHOW BUSINESS?
I loved it. I love singing. I love rehearsing. I love performing. I love acting. There’s nothing I love more. Even back then I would sing full out in the car on my way to school.
My closest friends today were my friends at school. I’ve made some intimate friends since moving out to LA too, and I feel lucky to have met a lot of amazing people, but my best friends are the friends I’ve had since childhood.

THE MEDIA ATTENTION AND ALL THE GOSSIP MUST BE OVERWHELMING.
Yes, and some of the gossip just comes out of nowhere, completely fabricated, just because somebody was having a bad day. That wasn’t me doing those things – it was them.
Being on the receiving end is very difficult, because at times you just want to stand up for yourself. But then you have to realise that it’s not real and not important, just momentary distractions. The biggest challenge is to not let it distract you. The media build you up to tear you down, and then build you back up again.

HOW CLOSE ARE YOU TO YOUR FANS?
The closest! I talk to them every day. We make each other laugh. We talk about things. I help them with their problems – sometimes I feel like a life coach! They don’t feel like my fans, but more like my friends. It’s gotten to the point that when I meet them, they’ll be, like, “I’m the one who talked to you about that thing!” I know them by name and sometimes I recognise them from their pictures. My fans are my family. They get my sense of humour. They understand me. And they’re compassionate. It’s the most genuine form of support I’ve ever seen. Whatever phase I’ve gone through, they’ve been with me from Day 1 and they’re still by my side and they’re not going anywhere. They’re the cutest people in the world.

BESIDES SHOWBIZ, WHAT OTHER GOALS DO YOU HAVE IN LIFE?
I want to save all the animals that aren’t wanted. I want to have this big, beautiful farm for puppies so I can go around LA or wherever I am and rescue all the puppies, cats and other unwanted animals. I’ll bring them over to the farm to live and be loved. We’ll have vets there, too.

WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR?
I’m going to do my tour and make that third album. I don’t have plans to perform in Asia yet. I’ve just announced the first part of the tour, which will be in North America, and then the second part will be international. It’s going to be crazy. And I’ve vegan, so I’m going to have to find quinoa and tofu everywhere!