Ariana Grande Covers ‘Billboard’, Praises Madonna

Robbie Daw | August 15, 2014 7:06 am

Much as Miley Cyrus stood front and center in pop’s spotlight last fall, Ariana Grande is arguably the “it” girl in music in summer 2014. It’s a notion that Billboard, at least, agrees on, as the publication has splashed the polka dot covered “Break Free” songbird on the cover of its latest issue.

The accompanying feature story on her details Grande’s penchant for the bizarre as a young girl, including her leanings toward skeleton face paint, Freddy Krueger masks and Jaws-themed birthday parties. “There was a stage, when I was 3 or 4, where my mom thought I might grow up to be a serial killer,” she admits to Billboard.

Ariana also sings the praises of fellow Catholic-turned-Kabbalist Madonna. “Oh my God, my heart would stop,” she says upon the suggestion she and Madge record together. “She is strength, she is freedom, she is wisdom beyond anybody’s comprehension.”

Grande goes on to reference Madonna: “As a fellow Kabbalist, I know how hard it is to exercise those tools in your everyday life. Especially in a world where everything is so egocentric and all you do is talk about yourself and promote yourself.”

Also, good news for the 21-year-old singer’s fans who worry that she’ll tire of all the fame and the fast-paced nature of the music biz: She’s a workaholic.

“I have to launch this album, and I get to do a tour, which all sounds fine and dandy…but I just love being in the studio,” Ariana tells Billboard. “I could start a new album right now, tonight. That sounds the most enticing to me. I love it.”

She loves it.

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