KEVIN MAZUR?WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES
Last year, you likely hadn’t heard of Ariana Grande. But her star is on the rise, and 2013 was an especially stellar year for the 20-year-old singer, actress, and songwriter.
Grande began her ascent into the spotlight in 2008, when she performed the role of Charlotte in the musical
13
on Broadway. She received a National Youth Theatre Association Award for her performance. In 2010, Grande stepped into the role of Cat in Nickelodeon’s popular show
Victorious
. She also stars as Cat in the Nickelodeon spinoff show
Sam and Cat.
In March 2013, Grande debuted a single from her upcoming album, “Yours Truly.” The song “The Way,” became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Her second single, “Baby I,” was released in July. The rest of the studio album was released in September 2013, receiving positive reviews from music critics. It also topped the charts in several countries outside the U.S.
In November 2013, Grande was named New Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. At the awards ceremony, she performed her song “Tattooed Heart,” and received a standing ovation. Grande has been compared to famous singers like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. She has been nominated for the 2014 People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Breakout Artist. Grande is hoping to release her second album this February.
Though Grande’s rise to stardom has been fast, she keeps herself rooted in her home state of Florida. Even when away from home, she stays involved with the organization Kids Who Care in South Florida. Grande co-founded the youth singing group, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity each year. Her efforts take her far from home, too ? Grande traveled to Gugulethu, South Africa, to teach music and dance to children as part of
Broadway in South Africa
.
For her award-winning accomplishments as a performer and her dedicated efforts to give back to her community, Ariana Grande is a nominee for TFK’s 2013 Person of the Year.
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