Ariana Grande is no stranger to the spotlight. With a career that’s spanned over a decade, she’s gone from a Nickelodeon starlet to a global pop sensation. Along the way, Ariana has been adored for her incredible vocal range, her catchy hits, and her undeniable charm. However, behind the scenes and in the public eye, Ariana has faced an ongoing identity crisis that has left fans and critics alike questioning who she truly is.
Over the years, the pop star has been accused of cultural appropriation, blackfishing, and even Asian-fishing. These accusations are rooted in the fact that Ariana’s image has shifted dramatically, both physically and stylistically, from her early days in Hollywood to the present. She has adopted various cultural aesthetics, altered her skin tone, and even changed her accent, all of which have led to claims of insincerity and a loss of personal authenticity.
Let’s break down the truth behind Ariana Grande’s bizarre identity crisis: her shifting appearance, her voice transformations, and the evolving public persona that has left many wondering if she’s playing with her image for the sake of reinvention—or if something deeper is going on.
1. The Tattoo Incident: Small Charcoal Grill Instead of ‘Seven Rings’
Ariana’s identity crisis first became evident with her now-infamous tattoo blunder. In 2019, the singer got a tattoo on her palm, inspired by her hit song “Seven Rings.” The idea was simple: get the Japanese characters for “Seven Rings” inked as a permanent tribute to the song’s success. However, things took a hilarious and embarrassing turn when Ariana discovered that the tattoo didn’t translate as she thought.
Instead of the intended “Seven Rings,” her tattoo actually read “small charcoal grill.” Not exactly the deep, meaningful symbol she was aiming for. Ariana, trying to brush off the mistake with humor, joked about her love for tiny barbecue grills. She later went back to the tattoo artist to try to fix it, but the new tattoo read “Japanese barbecue finger”—a result that only further fueled the awkwardness of the situation.
While the tattoo may have been a simple mistake, it highlighted a larger trend in Ariana’s career: her frequent use of Asian-inspired aesthetics without fully understanding the culture or language behind them. During her Seven Rings era, she wore Japanese-inspired fashion, incorporated Japanese kanji into her visuals, and even released merchandise with incorrect translations. Critics accused her of cultural appropriation, using a foreign culture for aesthetic purposes without regard for its deeper meaning.
2. The Changing Skin Tone: Blackfishing or Just a Tan?
One of the most notable changes in Ariana’s identity is her skin tone. Over the years, Ariana’s complexion has shifted from her naturally fair skin to a significantly darker shade, leading many to accuse her of blackfishing—the act of non-Black individuals adopting characteristics traditionally associated with Black people for aesthetic purposes. Critics point to her darker skin, fuller lips, and self-tanning practices, which many believe were designed to make her appear mixed-race or Latina.
The controversy reached a fever pitch during her 2016 Side to Side music video with Nicki Minaj, where Ariana’s skin appeared darker than Nicki’s, sparking accusations of racial insensitivity. Fans have also pointed to her fluctuating appearance in various music videos and red carpet events, where she seemed to embrace a darker complexion only to return to her fair skin for magazine covers and interviews.
While Ariana has not explicitly stated that she’s trying to change her race, the perception of her shifting appearance has left many wondering: Why the drastic changes? Is she intentionally adopting these features to appeal to a more diverse audience, or is it simply part of her evolving image as a pop star?
3. Switching Accents: From Natural to ‘Black Scent’
Ariana has also been accused of adopting different accents over the years, particularly the “black scent.” The term “black scent” refers to non-Black individuals mimicking African American Vernacular English (AAVE), often in a way that feels inauthentic or forced. Some of Ariana’s fans and critics have pointed to her vocal transformations, particularly her recent switch to a higher, more nasal tone, as evidence of her trying to “sound” like someone from a different racial or cultural background.
In one particular instance, Ariana’s accent change was noted during her acceptance speech at the 2018 Billboard Women in Music Awards, where she thanked her fans in a tone and rhythm that many found unfamiliar and even patronizing. She jokingly said, “I just want to say thank you guys so much for coming to my Kera,” with the word “Kera” meaning “career” in a playful tone that some interpreted as an attempt to sound Latina or black. Fans couldn’t help but notice the shift in her accent from her usual high-pitched voice to a more pronounced, almost exaggerated, style that sounded like she was mimicking other people’s vernacular.
In an interview, Ariana explained that she had been trying to keep her voice healthy due to the demanding nature of her singing and acting career, which she claimed led to a higher vocal placement. However, many people found her switch in tone jarring, as it seemed to mimic a cultural identity that wasn’t truly hers.
4. Cultural Appropriation and the “Asian Era”
More recently, Ariana has faced accusations of Asian fishing, with critics pointing to her increasingly “Asian-inspired” image. From the Seven Rings music video to her recent Instagram posts, Ariana has adopted looks that resemble traditional Asian aesthetics, especially from Japan and Korea. She has been seen wearing oversized bows, adopting an Asian-inspired makeup style with winged eyeliner, and even sporting clothing reminiscent of schoolgirl uniforms popularized in Japan.
Her style, along with her skin tone changes, has led many to accuse Ariana of “Asian fishing”—using aspects of Asian culture to craft a new image without truly respecting or understanding its cultural significance. For example, her Instagram photos, which have shown her with exaggerated eyeliner and a more doll-like appearance, resemble the aesthetics often seen in K-pop or Japanese pop culture.
While some argue that Ariana is simply experimenting with different looks, others feel that her use of these cultural symbols is opportunistic and commodified. Given her history with using cultural references to boost her career (and the backlash she’s received for it), fans are left wondering if Ariana is consciously attempting to fit into an Asian cultural mold for commercial gain.
5. A Constantly Evolving Persona: Who Is Ariana Grande, Really?
Ariana Grande has made it clear over the years that she isn’t afraid to evolve her image. From her child star days on Victorious to her transformation into a global pop sensation, she’s reinvented herself several times, each time adapting to the trends and demands of the music industry. But this constant evolution raises an important question: is Ariana truly embracing different cultures for artistic expression, or is she simply adapting her identity to marketability?
The pop star has faced multiple criticisms for shifting from one cultural identity to another, often without much explanation or context. While artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga are known for reinventing themselves with each album cycle, Ariana’s changes seem more about adopting features from marginalized groups without fully acknowledging or respecting the history and context behind them. This constant fluctuation in her appearance, voice, and cultural signifiers has led some to accuse Ariana of identity appropriation, using ethnic features to create an image that doesn’t reflect her true self.
Conclusion: A Public Identity Crisis
Ariana Grande’s journey from Disney star to global pop icon has been marked by bold transformations in her appearance, voice, and public persona. While these changes are not unusual for a celebrity trying to stay relevant in an ever-changing entertainment landscape, they have also sparked serious debates about cultural appropriation, blackfishing, and Asian fishing.
At the heart of it all, Ariana’s shifting identities seem to reflect a deeper issue of authenticity. Is she simply experimenting with different cultural aesthetics to maintain her pop star status, or is she struggling to find her true self in the face of constant public scrutiny?
Whether Ariana’s actions are calculated career moves or genuine attempts to explore her identity, one thing is clear: her public image has become a complex web of contradictions that continue to intrigue, confuse, and sometimes alienate her fans. As the conversation around cultural appropriation and identity continues to grow, Ariana’s journey raises important questions about the fine line between artistic expression and exploitation of marginalized cultures.
