The best fashion moments of Wicked star Ariana Grande

Something Wicked this way comes, and we’re absolutely ready for it. On November 22, director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked premiered globally to critical acclaim, with critics hailing the performance of its stellar cast members from singer Ariana Grande to Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey alike. But while we’re absolutely enthralled by the magic that has happened on-screen, we’re equally captivated by the red carpet looks the cast members have served on the red carpet so far. From dreamy gowns to chic little coquettish dresses, we take a look at some of the best fashion moments of Ariana Grande so far. 

A masterclass in method dressing 

Known for her big voice and her even bigger personality, former Nickelodeon star Ariana Grande is likewise big on making a splash in the fashion department. Having recently toured across the globe to promote her latest movie, director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, Grande’s exquisite red-carpet wardrobe has featured numerous exquisite ensembles that pay not-so-subtle homage to her character – Glinda the Good. Ranging from glittering, magical ballgowns to chic little bubblegum pink numbers, Grande’s penchant for method dressing has now put her in the company of other notable method dressers: Zendaya, Blake Lively, Nicola Coughlan, and Margot Robbie alike. 

Drawing inspiration from Glinda’s delightfully whimsical frocks, Grande’s red carpet looks for Wicked are the perfect foil for co-star Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba to spectacular effect. Notably, the two actresses have done an incredible job showcasing their polarities on the red carpet, with Erivo frequently donning chic, yet severe black numbers that contrast starkly against Grande’s candy-coloured frocks. 

The rise of Ariana Grande as a Gen Z fashion icon 

While Grande’s latest foray into Good Witch aesthetics is fairly new, she hasn’t always looked up to Glinda as a fashion do. In her earliest days in the spotlight, the actress-and-singer sported fiery red hair. Over the years, her hair would go on to change hues several times, with the starlet boldly going bleached blonde, brunette, and even black. 

In terms of fashion, Grande is known to lean into a hyper-feminine and retro style, showcasing her impeccable sense of fashion by building cohesive ensembles composed of 60s skirts and dresses and chic 70s silhouette. With the release of “Yes, and?’, Grande showcased a deviation into balletcore, showing off pink leotards and xx dance moves in the song’s corresponding music video. All this to say that Grande has never been shy about experimenting with looks and styles, a trait that has served her well across red carpet appearances and performances alike. 

Today, there is no mentioning cat ears, coquette bows, or high ponytails without mentioning Ariana Grande in the same breath, and for good reason. Over the years, the “7 Rings” singer has leveraged her incontrovertible sense of style to become a bona fide star, evolving across aesthetics to cement her place as one of Hollywood’s finest fashionistas. 

Never one for minimalism, Grande’s style has evolved alongside her career, taking her from Nickelodeon upstart to Gen Z fashion icon. With several of her Wicked red carpet looks taking center stage in recent days, we take a look at some of the best fashion moments of Ariana Grande to date. 

The best fashion moments of Ariana Grande 

2020 Grammy Awards 

At the 2020 Grammy Awards, Grande opted to go big with a custom Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown. The strapless number was a vision in grey, with a voluminous skirt that wreathed the star in dreamy layers of tulle. Grande paired the gown with her signature high ponytail, and grey opera gloves, making the ensemble one of her most iconic fashion moments. 

2018 Met Gala 

The Met Gala red carpet is known to host exquisite ensembles, and the 2018 was no different. Themed ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’, the event featured remarkable and memorable looks that are still talked about today, from the custom Versace gowns of Blake Lively and Gigi Hadid to the Oscar de la Renta wedding dress of Kate Bosworth. Among the evening’s best dressed celebrities: Ariana Grande, dressed in a gown from Vera Wang showcasing images from Michaelangelo’s The Last Judgment from the Sistine Chapel. In true coquette fashion, Grande paired the gown with an ethereal matching hairbow, bringing her look to the next level. 

At a 2016 sighting in London 

On March 30 2016, Grande was photographed leaving the BBC Radio 1 Studios in London. In lieu of bows and babydoll dresses, the starlet wore a chic ensemble including black cigarette pants and a white coat with a chic, peekaboo black-and-white lining. To complete the outfit, Grande wore sleek black stiletto heels and her iconic high ponytail. 

2014 MTV Europe Music Awards 

Before she started channelling her inner Glinda, Ariana Grande stunned in a flirty sheath dress as she walked the red carpet of the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards, held at The Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. The sleek number featured chic cutout panels, painting Grande a modern, sophisticated, and chic vision in black. Interestingly, Grande’s backless dress bore a striking resemblance to a Michael Kors dress once worn by Alicia Keys at the 2013 NRJ Music Awards in Cannes.  

R.E.M. Beauty promotional post on Instagram 

In December of 2021, Grande posted a series of photos to Instagram to promote the launch of her R.E.M. Beauty collection. In the photos, Grande rocked an incredible ensemble marrying both formal and feisty, pairing a gorgeous seashell minidress with a chic oversized blazer. She completed the outfit with a pink teardrop pendant, sleek hair, and soft makeup that emphasised her flawless skin. 

Stunning on The Voice 

Ariana Grande loves the colour purple, and purple loves her right back. In season 21 of The Voice, Grande brought her incomparable star power, extraordinary voice, and on-point fashion sense to the chair. Among her best ensembles for the show: A tasselled co-ord set by Malaysian designer Ivan Young. Realised in soft lilac satin, the set’s fitted top featured lively fringes on its sleeves that swayed as Grande moved; a matching fringed skirt likewise added a fun and retro edge to her signature style.  

2021 iHeart Radio Music Awards 

Performing a rendition of “Save Your Tears” alongside The Weeknd at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Ariana Grande stole the evening in an exquisite satin ensemble by Rat & Boa. The two-piece outfit, which bore Grande’s toned midriff, featured a halter-neck top with a ring detail, paired with a slinky skirt — both in the same deep, sultry purple. To complete her look, Grande wore her hair in a sleek high ponytail, and added silver stacked necklaces and drop earrings to match. 

2024 Oscars 

Making her appearance at the 2024 Oscars, Grande leaned heavily into Good Witch aesthetics with a custom Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown. The strapless bubble-gum pink column gown featured a ruched bodice, a voluminous cape, and an exaggerated train. Further upping the glam aspect, she paired the gown with matching pink diamond earrings and a necklace from Tiffany & Co, a romantic updo, and soft pink makeup. 

European Premiere of Wicked in London 

Arriving in London for the European premiere of Wicked, Grande rocked the red carpet in an exquisite, dreamy gown from Ralph Lauren. Realised in layers of soft yellow tulle draping, the gown pays subtle homage to a gown worn by her character Glinda in its Broadway musical iteration. Grande also augmented her look with a pair of retro round glasses in an olive-green tint, a diamond-encrusted choker necklace, and a slicked-back bun. 

Premiere of Wicked in Los Angeles 

At the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked at Shiz University, Grande looked to Thom Browne for her charmingly retro ensemble, which featured a strapless dress with a structured high-low skirt paired with a mini cape. Grande’s soft-pink checkered ensemble was paired with glittering silver heels, her trademark bow and slicked-back hair, stud earrings, and kid gloves. Altogether, the vintage look recalled Breakfast At Tiffany’s, perfectly suited to Grande’s elegant approach to method dressing for Wicked-related press. 

Premiere of Wicked in Australia 

For the premiere of Wicked in Sydney, Australia, Grande wore a custom tulle ballgown with a bejewelled corset bodice by Vivienne Westwood, perfectly embodying the Munchkinland theme of the movie and event. Channelling Good Witch vibes, the actress paired the dreamy, glittering gown with a diamond-encrusted butterfly necklace by celebrity jewellery Lorraine Schwartz.  

2024 WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards 

At the recent WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards, Grande tapped Vivienne Westwood for her ensemble, which featured a custom corseted off-white gown adorned in elegant floral embroidery. The fairytale ensemble featured exaggerated hip panniers for structure, and was completed with layered gemstone-encrusted necklaces, a slicked-back ballerina’s bun, and pointed white stiletto heels.

(Main images: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic, Jackson Lee/Getty Images; featured image: Ariana Grande/Instagram)