Ariana Grande has tried to distance herself from the frequent comparisons to Mariah Carey, going as far as requesting that she not be asked about her in interviews, but it looks like her diva antics are only making the similarities more apparent. However, unlike Carey, people in the industry feel that her behavior is premature and undeserved.
Grande’s debut, Yours Truly, scanned gold last week, which pales in comparison to her pop predecessor Mariah, who was edging near a diamond certification at Grande’s age.
E! host Giuliana Rancic shared an experience she had with the starlet at the American Music Awards last November.
“I feel like where there is smoke, there is fire,” Rancic said of her red carpet interview, alleging that Grande’s team bullied and elbowed her to change positions, so that Grande could be filmed on her left side. “It was like you either get on the other side or we don’t do an interview.”
Rancic, 40, continued, “It’s one thing if it’s Mariah [Carey]. I’ll get on any side. I’ll bend down. I’ll climb a ladder … I’ll do whatever it takes. But when you’re new on the block, trying to earn your stripes … You gotta do what you gotta do. Try to earn a great reputation, try to go overboard to please people.”
During a recent press day in Australia, media outlets were given a list of off-limits interview topics which, aside from Carey, including her grandfather’s death and dating/relationships, among other things. (Although her boyfriend, rapper Big Sean, recently confirmed they are romantically involved.)
Page Six reports that an insider compared Grande’s demands to that of the president and alleged, “She kind of speaks down to everyone around her.” The source added, “Everyone is kind of stressed and at the same time, they’re making fun of her because it’s much ado about nothing, really.”
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