Ariana Grande Addresses Voice Change In Viral Video & Calls Out Double Standard: “God Forbid I Sneeze Like Glinda”

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Ariana Grande is addressing the criticism she received following a viral video in which her voice changed suddenly and calling out the double standard in doing so.

In a new interview, the Wicked star explains why the criticism she received was a gender-based prejudice.

“I mean, you see male actors…. It’s always after the fact that they’re like, ‘Oh wow, how dedicated to his craft! What an amazing transformation! He’s a brilliant performer!’” Grande said on the Shut Up Evan podcast.

She continued, “And then, god forbid, I sneeze like Glinda or something, or if I make an intonation… it’s just that I’m crazy, or ‘Should someone check on her?’ It’s the weirdest thing.”

Grande went viral in June when a clip from her appearance on Podcrushed was shared on social media. The clip showed how Grande’s voice went from low to high from one moment to the next. Grande noted that it’s a “normal thing that people do” when transforming.

After the video went viral, Grande addressed the video by replying to a TikTok post, “Habit (speaking like this for two years) and also vocal health. I intentionally change my vocal placement (high/low) often depending on how much singing I’m doing. I’ve always done this BYE.”

Grande will star in Wicked later this year, playing the role of Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo. Wicked will be released in two parts, the first half on November 22 and the second part of the film set for release on December 25, 2025.

Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, and Peter Dinklage also star in the film directed by Jon M. Chu.