Ariana Grande Shares Update on Her Parents' Relationship After Divorce

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Ariana Grande Details Memory Loss From Early Years of Pop Career

It seems Ariana Grande’s parents don’t listen to her song “We Can’t Be Friends.”

Though the “Positions” singer’s parents Joan Grande and Ed Butera had a strained relationship after their divorce in the early aughts, Ariana admitted she “can’t separate them” these days.

“They’re not together, but they’re best friends,” she said on the Feb. 10 episode of WTF with Marc Maron. “It took 18 years and it took me forcing it. I forced them to communicate again. I really did.”

And as the Wicked actress—who earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie—recalled it, she told her parents on her 24th birthday in 2017 that enough is enough.

“I remember just kind of being at this pivotal point where I was just like, ‘You guys, I love you both so much. It’s been such a long time. Figure it the f--k out,’” Ariana shared. “Like, ‘Hello, it’s been 18 years. Please get over it.’ And they did.”

When revealing how the former couple—who walked the red carpet of the Los Angeles Wicked premiere together, alongside Ariana's half-brother Frankie Grande, in November—eventually made up, Ariana described it as the “perfect thing.”

“I guess they just had some sort of beautiful conversation,” she continued, “or realized that how much they love me is so much louder than whatever nonsense happened way back when. It really is beautiful.”

She added, “It did something to my brain, too. It was really a beautiful, healthy thing.”

And healing has been part of the Grande-Butera story for over a decade now, as Ariana previously said that “falling out of touch” with Ed in 2013 was the toughest experience of her life.

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”It took me so long to be okay with it,” she told Seventeen in 2014. “So much of me comes from my father, and for so long, I didn't like that about myself. I had to accept that it's okay not to get along with somebody and still love them."

But Ariana has since mended their relationship, too, even honoring her dad and her younger self by using her full name Ariana Grande-Butera in the Wicked end credits.

“It was a big surprise and he cried,” she told Entertainment Tonight in November. “It was very emotional.”

For more of Ariana through the years, keep reading…

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Glam Girl

Ariana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!

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Darling Diva

The Sam & Cat star stunned in a charming white mini-dress at the 2011 Grammy Awards. She paired her simple, yet striking outfit with sparkly gold heels and dainty jewelry pieces.

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Hot, Hot, Hot

Looking like a modern-day Jessica Rabbit with her blinding Dolce & Gabbana red dress, Ariana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards.

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Vintage Vibes

Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.

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Ray of Sunshine

The "Dangerous Woman" singer made a splash at the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Matching the orange carpet, Grande wore a vibrant mini-dress and pairs it with white pumps and a whimsical clutch.

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Dashing in Black

Ariana oozed with old Hollywood glamour at the 2014 American Music Awards. She opted for a floor-length black lace gown from MT Costello.

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White-Hot

Wearing a white gown with silver lamé mesh at the 2015 Grammy Awards, Ariana shined as bright as the flashing lights on the red carpet.

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Effortlessly Elegant

Beaming in a floral beaded, peplum mini-dress at the 2015 American Music Awards, Ariana stunned in this statement-making piece from Giambattista Valli.

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Vision in White

Ariana made a bold fashion choice wearing an all-white ensemble at KISS FM in 2015. While most are scared to get an outfit like that dirty, the Nickelodeon alum wasn't afraid to take that risk!

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Penchant for Pantsuits

Ditching the usual dress at the 2016 American Music Awards, the "Problem" artist opted for a sexy corset top and elegant white pants.

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Oversized Overalls

Ariana rocked a funky fresh outfit at the 2016 Hairspray Live! press junket. She sizzled in oversized overalls, a bralette and a bedazzled choker necklace.

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Royal Blues

Ariana brought the heat to the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Her Atelier Versace dress highlighted her playful side with its unique cut-out design and bright colors.

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God Is a Woman

Ariana took fans to church with her Sistine Chapel-inspired dress at the 2018 Met Gala. Megan McCluskey designed the gown in keeping with event's theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Cotton Candy Dream

Ariana looked like a cotton candy dream in her pastel pink ensemble at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango event. Giving us '90s nostalgia, she rocked platinum sneakers, matching ankle socks and an oversized sweater that states, "girls girls girls."

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Lavender "Loofah"

The "7 Rings" singer looked regal and elegant in her custom Christian Siriano dress, which she perfectly dubbed the "loofah of the year" lewk. Of course, she tied her outfit together by wearing her signature thigh-high boots.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

SIlver Siren

Not only did the pop star turned heads with two outfit changes at the 2020 Grammys red carpet, but her platinum blonde pony was all anyone could talk about at the time.

Instagram

Curly Sue

Ariana said thank u, next to her signature high pony with a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.

Instagram

13 Going on 30

The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.

Instagram

Blonde Beauty

The Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look in October 2022.

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Wickedly Good

Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.

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Goddess of the Garden

For the 2024 Met Gala, which had a "Garden of Time" dress code to celebrate the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit, Ariana wore an ethereal white gown from Loewe featuring a mother of pearl bodice—a nod to her birthstone—and long chiffon skirt.

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