Ariana Grande Reflects on Scrapped Plans and the Unexpected Success of ‘Positions’ Album

In a candid interview, Ariana Grande opens up about the challenges she faced with the initial response to her 2020 album and how the project evolved into a fan favorite.

Ariana Grande has always been known for her impeccable vocal range and her ability to captivate audiences worldwide, but even the superstar wasn’t immune to the challenges of a lukewarm reception to her work. Speaking on the Las Culturistas podcast with Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, the 31-year-old Grammy winner revealed that she scrapped many of her original plans for the Positions album cycle after the album was met with a mixed response from her fans.

Released in October 2020, Positions produced chart-topping hits like the title track, “34+35,” and “POV,” but it didn’t immediately resonate with all listeners. Grande admitted, “When it came out, it kind of like… didn’t go so well,” adding that she picked up on fan feedback that indicated they were expecting something different. “I just got a little bit of, ‘This is not what we want’ vibes,” she recalled.

As a self-described “sensitive artist,” Grande took the early criticisms to heart. She explained how this affected her creative process, saying, “I scrapped so many things that I was gonna put out for it.” The mixed reaction caused her to second-guess her work and judge every aspect of the album. However, as time passed, the project gained more love and appreciation from fans. “Now, people are just, they love it like it’s the best thing I’ll ever make,” she reflected. “And I’m like, ‘What is that? How is that fair?’”

Despite her initial doubts, Positions was ultimately a commercial success. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and produced several chart-topping singles, including the title track, which topped the Billboard Hot 100, and “34+35,” which reached No. 2. Grande expressed gratitude for her fans’ evolving appreciation for the album, though she admitted that it has become a bit “not mine anymore,” as it’s now part of her public legacy.

In addition to her musical journey, Grande spoke about her future in the entertainment industry. Following her highly anticipated role as Galinda in the upcoming Wicked film, she hinted at a possible shift in her career. “I’m always gonna make music. I’m always gonna go on stage. I’m always going to do pop stuff, I pinky promise,” she said, but added that she doesn’t see herself continuing at the same pace over the next decade. “I think I love acting, I love musical theater,” she shared, suggesting that her artistic journey might expand beyond music in the future.

The unexpected success of Positions and the challenges Grande faced during its rollout highlight her growth as an artist. With future projects on the horizon, including Wicked, her career continues to evolve in exciting ways. Fans can look forward to seeing even more of Grande’s multifaceted talents as she explores new creative avenues in the years to come.