It was a Grammy Awards night that doubled as a nostalgia trip for TV fans, and Ariana Grande found herself at the center of one of the most unexpectedly wholesome moments of the ceremony.
The former “The Voice” coach took home a Grammy and then received heartfelt praise from a familiar face from her past. Within hours, fans were celebrating not just her win, but the full-circle story behind it.
A ‘Victorious’ Throwback Fans Couldn’t Ignore
Before the 68th annual Grammy Awards even settled, social media timelines lit up with memories from the popular Nickelodeon show “Victorious,” where Grande starred alongside singer and producer Leon Thomas III.
Within hours, timelines filled with throwback stills of Cat Valentine and André Harris, including a viral post from Complex that sent millennials straight back to their Nickelodeon era. For fans who grew up watching the pair perform in the fictional halls of Hollywood Arts High School, seeing both stars win on the same night felt like the ultimate glow-up.
Grande earned Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity,” her soaring duet with Cynthia Erivo from Wicked. Thomas had a major moment of his own, winning Best R&B Album for “Mutt.” Thomas has worked behind the scenes with several artists, including SZA, Drake, and, of course, Grande herself.
“She is such a beautiful voice, and to see how she can flip a song around and really make it her own was beautiful,” he said in the exclusive interview with People after the awards show. He joked that he was “following in her footsteps,” reflecting on how both he and Grande went from Victorious classmates to Grammy winners.
From Red Chair Mentor to Grammy Winner
During Season 21 as a coach, Grande was one of the most hands-on coaches the show has seen. She did not just deliver quick one-liners. She coached runs, adjusted harmonies, and helped contestants shape their performances with precision and emotion.
Grande may have moved on from coaching duties, but moments like this remind fans why she fit so naturally into competition show’s universe in the first place. From Nickelodeon stages to “The Voice” red chair to the Grammy podium, her journey has come full circle.
Thanks to her former co-star’s sweet words, her win feels even bigger. Two careers that started on the same soundstage are now sharing music’s biggest stages and most successful moments.
The singing competition series is already gearing up for its next chapter. Season 29 of The Voice: Battle of Champions is set to premiere Monday, February 23, at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.
