Ariana Grande’s Best Red Carpet Looks Helped Make Her ‘Popular’

Ariana Grande was destined to be a star ever since she made her debut in 13 on Broadway in 2008, though it was her role on Nickelodeon’s Victorious that really started her journey to household name status. By the 2010s, it was clear Grande was one to watch, and she started hitting the red carpet circuit with her dyed red hair, attending the EGOT equivalent for child stars: the Teen Choice Awards, Kids’ Choice Awards, MTV VMAs, and American Music Awards.

Really, Grande has gone through many style phases throughout her career—demure child star, glamorous young adult, followed by an embrace of crop tops as she continued to find herself. Then there was that phase when she couldn’t stop wearing mini dresses and thigh-high boots. These days, though, she seems as comfortable as ever, sticking with brands like Vera Wang, Versace, and Valentino to dress her for her various appearances. 2024 saw Grande tap into her inner Glinda, whom she plays in the Jon M. Chu blockbuster opposite Cynthia Erivo. Of course, the singer and actor went all-in on themed style during the film’s press tour, wearing everything from sequined Vivienne Westwood to ornate Atelier Versace.

Below, take a look back at Grande’s best looks, from her 2010 Nickelodeon days all the way to Wicked.

2025: Academy Awards

Grande celebrated her first Oscar nomination in a Glinda-worthy dress from Loewe with hips that literally defied gravity.

2025: SAG Awards

For the 2025 SAG Awards, Grande looked right out of the land of Oz in this powder pink Loewe dress.

2025: BAFTA Awards

Elphaba up top, Glinda down below at the 2025 BAFTAs.

2025: Critics’ Choice Awards

The actor opted for a scarecrow-esque Dior dress with a dancerly skirt at the 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards.

2025: Golden Globe Awards

Grande took archival dressing to the next level at the 2025 Golden Globes when she showed up in an un-worn Givenchy couture dress dated to 1966.

2024: Wicked London Premiere

Grande finished off her Wicked press tour on a high note with this butter yellow Ralph Lauren number that she paired with Swarovski jewels.

2024: Wicked New York Premiere

In a champagne pink Louis Vuitton number, Grande co-signed the peplum trend during the Wicked New York premiere.

2024: Wicked Mexico City Premiere

The singer and actor was in Mexico, but this pearl white Atelier Versace gown belonged in the land of Oz.

2024: Wicked L.A. Premiere

Grande’s pink gingham mini, courtesy of Thom Browne, that channeled the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

2024: Wicked Australia Premiere

Grande went bold for her debut Wicked red carpet in Australia. She wore a dream-like Vivienne Westwood outfit that was an homage to her fellow Glinda Billie Burke and the dress she wore in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz.

2024: Met Gala

Though she wasn’t draped in Glinda pink, Grande still brought the fantasy to the 2024 Met Gala in this custom Loewe look.

2024: CinemaCon

A flower power moment in Oscar de la Renta at CinemaCon.

2024: Academy Awards

Grande’s Wicked style came into fous during the 2024 Oscars. She slipped into a ruched Giambattista Valli gown and a larger-than-life train.

2021: The Voice Finale

Grande was the star of The Voice finale in a canary yellow Valentino dress with black opera globes.

2021: iHeartRadio Music Awards

While she didn’t walk the red carpet, Grande appeared onstage during the iHeartRadio Awards in a purple Rat and Boa set to perform “Save Your Tears” with The Weeknd.

2020: Grammy Awards

It’s been about two and a half years since Grande walked the red carpet, but at least she left us with something to remember: this larger than life Giambattista Valli Haute couture dress at the 2020 Grammys.

2018: Billboard Women in Music Event

Grande wore a light purple Christian Siriano mini dress with thigh-high suede boots to the Billboard Women in Music event in 2018.

2018: MTV Video Music Awards

While Grande shined in a silver mini dress and sparkly thigh-high boots from Le Silla, her then-fiancé, Pete Davidson, went with a much more casual look and opted to wear sweatpants to the 2018 VMAs.

2018: Met Gala

Grande was unmissable at the 2018 Met Gala, wearing a custom Vera Wang gown featuring Michelangelo’s fresco, “The Last Judgement,” which is painted in the Sistine Chapel.

2016: American Music Awards

The singer paired a black lace crop top with wide leg white pants for the AMAs in 2016.

2016: MTV Video Music Awards

Grande loves a crop top, so it’s no surprise she opted to wear a black lace one by Alexander Wang to the 2016 VMAs with a pair of wide leg trousers.

2016: Billboard Music Awards

Back when Grande was being styled by Law Roach, she attended the Billboard Music Awards in a graphic Atelier Versace dress with loads of cutouts.

2016: Time 100 Gala

When Ariana isn’t wearing a crop top, chances are she’s wearing a ball gown, which is what she went with for the Time 100 Gala in 2016—a black Christian Siriano dress with a voluminous tulle skirt.

2016: Grammy Awards

Grande went a bit simpler for the Grammys in 2016, wearing a bright red Romona Keveza dress with her signature half-up ponytail.

2015: Grammy Awards

The year before, she rocked the same hair style but instead wore a white Versace spring 2014 dress with a silver overlay.

2014: MTV Video Music Awards

Grande paired her leather, moto-inspired Moschino resort 2015 set with a pair of Tom Ford thigh-high boots.

2014: Teen Choice Awards

The singer looked adorable in a crystal-encrusted Georges Chakra spring 2013 couture mini dress at the Teen Choice Awards in 2014.

2014: Grammy Awards

Grande opted for a more retro look at the 2014 Grammys, wearing a cherry blossom-covered Dolce & Gabbana dress with pearl earrings.

2013: American Music Awards

The singer sparkled in a red sequined Dolce & Gabbana dress at the 2013 AMAs.

2013: MTV Video Music Awards

Grande tapped former Project Runway contestant, Kenley Collins, to dress her for the VMAs in 2013.

2012: Emmy Awards

The singer wore a halter neck red dress with a keyhole cutout for the 2012 Emmys.

2012: Kids’ Choice Awards

Grande looked like a little buttercup in a yellow mini dress at the KCAs in 2012.

2011: Emmy Awards

The then-redheaded singer wore a metallic mini dress to the 2011 Emmys.

2011: Grammy Awards

Grande attended her first-ever Grammys in a white mini dress with asymmetric sleeves and a ruched skirt.

2010: MTV Movie Awards

The singer wore a very era-appropriate pink bandage dress to the MTV Movie Awards in 2010.