Timeline of Ariana Grande and Jennifer Coolidge’s friendship explored

Ariana Grande, with six of her seven studio albums topping the Billboard 200 charts, has cemented her place as a pop music superstar. Her talents extend beyond music, as she also shines as an actress, with a musical fantasy film set to hit theaters in November 2024. One of Grande’s lesser-known but equally impressive skills is impersonating other celebrities, a talent that sparked an unexpected and delightful friendship with actress Jennifer Coolidge.

Despite a 30-year age gap, Grande and Coolidge have formed a close bond that started with a funny impression and grew into a collaboration in music videos, joint interviews, and a lasting friendship.

Ariana Grande’s Jennifer Coolidge Impression on The Tonight Show (2018)

The friendship began when Ariana Grande appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show in 2018. Fallon asked Grande to do a Jennifer Coolidge impression, to which Grande enthusiastically responded by channeling Paulette from “Legally Blonde,” one of her favorite characters. She delivered the iconic line, “God! You look like the fourth of July. I’m taking the dog, dumbass,” to much applause and laughter.

Four years later, Coolidge appeared on the same show and watched a clip of Grande’s impression. She revealed that the impression marked the beginning of a new phase in her career. Coolidge shared how she had been in a career slump until her friend’s young daughter encouraged her to reach out to Grande via Instagram. Coolidge hesitated but ultimately sent Grande a message. Grande responded positively and invited Coolidge to cameo in her “thank u, next” music video, leading to a memorable wardrobe fitting at Grande’s house.

Collaboration and Continued Friendship

The music video for “thank u, next” featured Coolidge reprising her “Legally Blonde” persona, solidifying their friendship. This collaboration was just the beginning, as the two remained close. In 2022, Grande paid tribute to Coolidge’s character from the 2000 mockumentary “Best In Show” by dressing up as her for Halloween. Coolidge reciprocated the following year by dressing as Grande’s dog, Toulouse.

Ariana Grande Interviews Jennifer Coolidge for Entertainment Weekly (2022)

In December 2022, Entertainment Weekly honored Coolidge as the Entertainer of the Year and invited Grande to interview her. Grande, calling Coolidge “the queen of all things funny and brilliant,” expressed her deep admiration and appreciation for Coolidge’s work. Coolidge credited Grande for reigniting her career, though Grande modestly downplayed her role, calling the timing “just so beautiful.”

During the interview, Grande praised Coolidge’s performance in “The White Lotus” and shared that watching the show was the highlight of her week. Coolidge, in turn, called Grande the “youngest iconic legend” and a “superstar.”

Looking Forward: A Vacation in Japan?

Towards the end of the interview, Grande asked Coolidge about her ideal location for the third season of “The White Lotus.” Coolidge mentioned Asia, and Grande suggested they take a vacation together to Japan, which she described as “the best place in the world.” Fans are eagerly awaiting this potential vacation, hoping to see more delightful moments between the two friends.

Ariana Grande and Jennifer Coolidge’s friendship, rooted in mutual admiration and a shared sense of humor, continues to be a source of joy for their fans. From a simple impression to deep mutual respect and collaboration, their relationship is a testament to the unexpected and wonderful connections that can form in the entertainment industry.