Ariana Grande Says She's 'Missing a Few Years' from Initial Stint of Pop Stardom: 'I'm Super Serious'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariana Grande in January 2025.Photo:John Nacion/Variety via Getty

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

Ariana Grandemight have experienced her own “eternal sunshine” moment.During the Wednesday, Feb. 3 episode ofSmartLess, the pop star, 31, opened up about her inability to recall a certain time period in her life.The moment came up whenWill Arnettrecalled appearing on a “weird” U.K. talk show 10 years ago with Grande, which he claimed wasChatty Man.The “We Can’t Be Friends” singer, however, didn’t remember the appearance.“I’m missing a couple of years,” Grande said. “I’m super serious from that time. I’m literally missing a few years.“Arnett, 54, then quipped that her behavior was “disgraceful,” before adding the caveat: “No, you were great.“The “Into You” hitmaker then reflected on the experience of being 19 when her debut albumYours Trulywas released.“I just never expected it to kind of take over the way that it sort of did in a beautiful way,” said Grande. “I just think that there was no way to prepare for that.“She then explained that she was a “theater nerd” before she was a pop star.“I am a theater nerd through and through,” said Grande. “And, you know, this very insane journey with music kind of took over my life for a very long time. And, it was extraordinary but very challenging.“The time, she recalled, was not what she “expected” but “so beautiful and gratifying.““It was just crazy because, when I was younger, especially after doing 13 on Broadway, I was kind of like, How cool? I get to be a part of the theater community. I can’t wait to be the understudy for theThoroughly Modern Millierevival, and maybe be in the ensemble on the days when I’m not being the swing,” recalled Grande.She continued: “And then I’ll do music on the side, and hopefully someone will listen to it, and that can be like a little side thing, and hopefully, someone will be into it.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Ariana Grande in May 2024.Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueElsewhere in the interview, theWickedstar bonded withSean Hayesabout their mutual love forEthan Slater.The pairreminisced about sharing a hair and makeup trailerwhile performing in 2016’sHairspray Live!, and Hayes, 54, shouted out Slater, 32, as “a very good friend of mine.““Yes, he loves you so much,” Grande replied.“I love him too. Ethan Slater. He’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life,” Hayes continued. “He didGood Night, Oscarwith me in Chicago. And then he was onWickedand now you guys are dating, and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple.”

Ariana Grandemight have experienced her own “eternal sunshine” moment.

During the Wednesday, Feb. 3 episode ofSmartLess, the pop star, 31, opened up about her inability to recall a certain time period in her life.

The moment came up whenWill Arnettrecalled appearing on a “weird” U.K. talk show 10 years ago with Grande, which he claimed wasChatty Man.

The “We Can’t Be Friends” singer, however, didn’t remember the appearance.

“I’m missing a couple of years,” Grande said. “I’m super serious from that time. I’m literally missing a few years.”

Arnett, 54, then quipped that her behavior was “disgraceful,” before adding the caveat: “No, you were great.”

The “Into You” hitmaker then reflected on the experience of being 19 when her debut albumYours Trulywas released.

“I just never expected it to kind of take over the way that it sort of did in a beautiful way,” said Grande. “I just think that there was no way to prepare for that.”

She then explained that she was a “theater nerd” before she was a pop star.

“I am a theater nerd through and through,” said Grande. “And, you know, this very insane journey with music kind of took over my life for a very long time. And, it was extraordinary but very challenging.”

The time, she recalled, was not what she “expected” but “so beautiful and gratifying.”

“It was just crazy because, when I was younger, especially after doing 13 on Broadway, I was kind of like, How cool? I get to be a part of the theater community. I can’t wait to be the understudy for theThoroughly Modern Millierevival, and maybe be in the ensemble on the days when I’m not being the swing,” recalled Grande.

She continued: “And then I’ll do music on the side, and hopefully someone will listen to it, and that can be like a little side thing, and hopefully, someone will be into it.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ariana Grande in May 2024.Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Kevin Mazur/MG24/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Elsewhere in the interview, theWickedstar bonded withSean Hayesabout their mutual love forEthan Slater.

The pairreminisced about sharing a hair and makeup trailerwhile performing in 2016’sHairspray Live!, and Hayes, 54, shouted out Slater, 32, as “a very good friend of mine.”

“Yes, he loves you so much,” Grande replied.

“I love him too. Ethan Slater. He’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life,” Hayes continued. “He didGood Night, Oscarwith me in Chicago. And then he was onWickedand now you guys are dating, and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple.”

source: people.com