Josh Hutcherson Recalls Ariana Grande Comparing Herself to Mariah Carey While on ‘Victorious’
In a recent appearance on *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon*, actor Josh Hutcherson shared nostalgic memories of his teenage friendship with pop superstar Ariana Grande, revealing just how early she was committed to her singing career. Hutcherson, known for his role in *The Hunger Games*, recounted his experiences with Grande during her time on the Nickelodeon show *Victorious*, where she played the beloved character Cat Valentine from 2010 to 2013. Hutcherson reminisced about a conversation where Grande confidently proclaimed her singing abilities, even showcasing her impressive whistle register, reminiscent of Mariah Carey’s iconic vocal style. “I was like, ‘Really?’ and she said, ‘Yeah, watch!’ It was like a whole dolphin-voice-sounding thing. I was like, ‘You’re really good!’” Hutcherson recalled, highlighting her unwavering belief in her talent long before she became a household name.
Ariana Grande’s journey from a Nickelodeon star to a global pop sensation is nothing short of remarkable. Following her time on *Victorious*, she transitioned into a successful music career, amassing nine Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers and six Billboard 200 No. 1 albums, alongside two Grammy Awards. Her impact on the music industry has been recognized by *Billboard*, which named her the No. 9 Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century and the No. 12 Top Songwriter of the 21st Century. Grande has also collaborated with music legends like Mariah Carey, including the recent remixes of “Oh Santa!” and “Yes, And?” This year, she made a significant return to the big screen with her role in *Wicked*, which has garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for her performance. As she prepares to reprise her role in the upcoming *Wicked: For Good*, set to release on November 21, fans are eager to see how her career continues to evolve and inspire.
Hutcherson’s fond memories of Grande serve as a testament to her early dedication and talent, which have undeniably shaped her successful career. As she continues to break records and earn accolades, it’s clear that her journey from a young actress to a music icon was marked by both hard work and a belief in her own abilities. With *Wicked: For Good* on the horizon, fans are not only excited to see Grande shine on screen but also to witness how her artistry continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
The rest of the world spent the past decade getting acquainted with
Ariana Grande
‘s innumerable talents, but
I Love LA
actor
Josh Hutcherson
was tapped in with the
Wicked
star’s golden pipes during her
Victorious
days.
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During a stop at
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
on (Nov. 18), Hutcherson recounted befriending Grande during their teen years, and her steadfast commitment to pursuing a singing career.
“When I was 15-17, I was friends with a bunch of the cast of
Victorious,
” he explained to Fallon. “I met Ariana multiple times in that day and age. She, one day, told me, ‘I’m a really good singer.’ I was like, ‘I believe you.’ Then she was like, ‘No, I can do the Mariah Carey, like, whistle sing.’ I was like, ‘Really?’ [And she said], ‘Yeah, watch!’ It was like a whole dolphin-voice-sounding thing. I was like, ‘You’re really good!’ She’s like, ‘I’m gonna be a singer too.’ Cut to [present-day] Ariana Grande … she was right!”
Grande starred as Cat Valentine for all four seasons of
Victorious
from 2010 to 2013. The following year, she reprised her role in
Sam & Cat
, a spinoff that lasted just one season and aired in the interim between her debut and sophomore studio albums. Of course, Grande quickly transitioned into a pop career that’s earned her nine
Billboard Hot 100
chart-toppers, six
Billboard 200
No. 1 albums, and two Grammy wins. Last year,
Billboard
crowned her the
No. 9 Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century
, and, this year, she was named the
No. 12 Top Songwriter of the 21st Century on the Hot 100
.
Grande’s famous pipes have also resulted in two official collaborations with Carey: 2020’s “Oh Santa!” remix (with Jennifer Hudson) and 2024’s “Yes, And?” remix. At September’s MTV Video Music Awards, Grande delivered a heartfelt speech while presenting Carey with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award — before winning three Moonpeople of her own that very night.
Last year, Grande made her grand, formal return to the silver screen in
Wicked
, for which she earned an Academy Award nomination for best actress in a supporting role. The “We Can’t Be Friends” singer will reprise her role in
Wicked: For Good
, which hits theaters on Friday (Nov. 21), and is expected to follow in the
box office-conquering
,
award-winning
footsteps of its prequel.
Watch Josh Hutcherson reminisce on befriending Ariana Grande below.
