Ariana Grande recently shared a surprising revelation about her early years as a pop star during an appearance on the “SmartLess” podcast. In the episode that aired on February 3, 2025, the 31-year-old singer admitted that she has trouble recalling certain periods from the beginning of her career. When one of the podcast hosts mentioned Grande’s appearance on a U.K. talk show 10 years ago, linked to her role in *Hairspray Live!*, Grande confessed, “I’m missing a couple of years.
I’m super serious from that time. I’m literally missing a few years.”
Grande reflected on her rapid rise to fame with the release of her debut album *Yours Truly* when she was just 19. “I just never expected it to kind of take over the way that it sort of did in a beautiful way,” she said.
“There was no way to prepare for that.”
Before her pop career took off, Grande was deeply involved in theater. “I am a theater nerd through and through,” she shared.
Grande’s struggle with memory loss
“This insane journey with music kind of took over my life for a very long time. It was extraordinary but very challenging.”
Despite the challenges, Grande expressed gratitude for the experience. “It was not what I expected but so beautiful and gratifying,” she noted, recalling her humble aspirations of being involved in theater productions and doing music on the side.
The interview also touched on Grande’s experiences on the set of *Hairspray Live!* in 2016, where she bonded with co-stars over their shared love for theater. Co-host praised Ethan Slater, whom Grande is currently dating, as “one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life.”
Grande responded, “Yes, he loves you so much. I love him too.” The warmth and mutual respect in their conversation highlighted the tight-knit nature of the theater community.
Ariana Grande’s candid discussion about her memory loss sheds light on the pressures and challenges faced by young artists in the fast-paced entertainment industry. As more celebrities open up about their personal experiences, it becomes clear that mental health remains a vital topic within the realm of fame and public scrutiny.