From Pop Princess to Academy Voter: Ariana Grande’s Hollywood Evolution Gets Ultimate Recognition
Darling readers, prepare yourselves for the most deliciously unexpected news to grace our industry this season. Our beloved Ariana Grande—she of the impossibly sleek ponytail and those divine Givenchy moments—has just received what might be considered Hollywood’s most coveted invitation since Anna Wintour’s Met Gala guest list. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended membership to Grande, positioning our style icon among the 534 distinguished artists invited to join the exclusive ranks of Oscar voters.
While we’ve been obsessing over Grande’s sartorial evolution from Nickelodeon sweetheart to high-fashion muse, the Academy has been taking notes on her artistic metamorphosis. Her recent turns in “Don’t Look Up” and the highly anticipated “Wicked” have apparently caught the attention of Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang, who declared this incoming class as having “made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community.” Though between you and me, darlings, we knew she was Oscar-worthy the moment she stepped onto that “Victorious” set—even if her Cat Valentine wardrobe choices were, shall we say, questionably adorable.
This year’s invitation list reads like the VIP section at Fashion Week’s most exclusive after-party. The stunning Jodie Comer, fresh from her leather-clad “Bikeriders” era, joins the ranks alongside “Anora’s” breakout sensation Mikey Madison, whose red carpet moments have been nothing short of spectacular. Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong—both masters of the perfectly tailored suit—round out the invitation’s most photographed recipients.
But perhaps the most refreshingly authentic response came from “I Saw the TV Glow” director Jane Schoenbrun, who celebrated their invitation with characteristic wit: “About to be the guy at the academy meetings being like ‘yeah yeah but have u seen this dead mall explorer YouTube video?'” Now that’s the kind of irreverent energy we need influencing Hollywood’s most prestigious awards.
The actors’ branch reads like a who’s who of our recent cover stars and style favorites. Gillian Anderson, that eternal embodiment of sophisticated minimalism, joins forces with Monica Barbaro, whose “A Complete Unknown” press tour wardrobe deserves its own exhibition. Dave Bautista brings his unexpected suave factor, while the Culkin-Strong sibling rivalry from “Succession” continues into Academy halls—imagine the tension at those voting meetings, darlings.
Jason Momoa’s inclusion feels particularly significant for our fashion-forward readers who’ve watched him evolve from rugged Aquaman to surprisingly polished red carpet regular. His recent Fendi collaboration and those jaw-dropping pink ensembles prove that style evolution knows no boundaries. Meanwhile, Aubrey Plaza’s deadpan delivery extends beyond her performances into her impeccable fashion choices, making her a natural fit for Academy membership.
The diversity statistics tell a compelling story that fashion insiders have been championing for years. With 41% of new members identifying as women and 45% representing underrepresented communities, the Academy mirrors fashion’s own ongoing inclusivity evolution. The international representation—55% from outside the United States—brings global perspective that fashion weeks worldwide have long celebrated.
Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney’s induction into the associates category, alongside incoming Oscar host Conan O’Brien, promises entertaining behind-the-scenes moments. After all, who understands the intersection of entertainment and style better than those who’ve navigated countless award show appearances?
As the Academy’s total membership approaches 11,120 (should all invitations be accepted), one thing remains crystal clear: Hollywood’s taste-making power just received a significant upgrade. With Grande’s impeccable fashion sense now influencing Oscar voting decisions, we can only hope this translates into more adventurous red carpet moments and perhaps, finally, some recognition for costume design’s true artistry.
The real question isn’t whether these new members deserve their prestigious positions—it’s whether the Academy deserves access to their collective style wisdom.
