Paige Niemann, an Ariana Grande impersonator, revealed in her Apple TV documentary series Turning The Paige that the pop star sent her a private direct message in 2019 encouraging her to embrace her own identity. In the message, Grande told Niemann she was “beautiful as YOURSELF” and urged her to value her natural appearance over the makeup and styling used to mimic the singer.
Ariana Grande’s Private Message to Paige Niemann
The interaction occurred in 2019 after Niemann went viral on TikTok for her recreations of Grande’s signature high ponytail, winged eyeliner, and mannerisms. According to the documentary Turning The Paige, Grande reached out via DM after seeing videos of Niemann impersonating both the singer and her Nickelodeon character, Cat Valentine from Victorious.
In the shared messages, Grande wrote: “i am flattered and i am sure you’re very sweet, but i just wanted you to know, i looked back a little ways on your page and i think someone should tell you if they haven’t today that you’re very beautiful as YOURSELF.”
The message continued with a critique of the impersonation process: “Without all the make up and trying to make your face look more similar to someone else’s and whatnot. i had to say it because it is the truth. always do what makes you happy of course but if i didn’t say that to you, i’d regret it. you’re beautiful as you are. take care.”
The Shift from Impersonation to Identity
The six-part documentary series on Apple TV tracks Niemann’s journey to “reclaim her identity.” After years of being known online as an Ariana Grande lookalike, Niemann uses the series to explore the online backlash and her attempts to build a career on her own terms.
This private encouragement from Grande contrasts with the singer’s public reaction at the time. When Niemann first went viral, Grande publicly described the experience of seeing her Cat Valentine voice merged with her then-current pop star image as “bizarre,” though she maintained that Niemann was “the sweetest.”
Ariana Grande’s Current Projects and Career Trajectory
While Niemann focuses on her personal branding, Grande is expanding her footprint across music, film, and theater. She is currently preparing for the release of her eighth studio album, Petal, scheduled for July 31 via Republic Records. The project follows 2024’s Eternal Sunshine and its deluxe version, Brighter Days Ahead.
Grande’s current schedule includes several high-profile ventures:
- Touring: The Eternal Sunshine tour is underway, featuring a planned 10-night residency at The O2 in London.
- Film: She is cast in the comedy sequel Focker-In-Law alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro.
- Theater: Grande is set to star in Sunday In The Park With George opposite Jonathan Bailey in London’s West End in 2027.
Beyond entertainment, Grande has recently expanded her public advocacy by launching a foundation to support the LGBTQ+ community and publicly criticizing the White House for the use of her music in an ICE-related video.
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