Ariana Grande may be one of the biggest pop stars in the world, but even she gets starstruck. In a new interview with W Magazine for its January/February 2025 issue, the 31-year-old Grammy-winning singer opens up about her excitement when she received an invitation to meet her favorite artist, British singer and producer Imogen Heap.
“I thought I was being catfished,” Grande admitted, recalling the first time she heard from Heap. The Wicked actress has long been a fan of Heap, 47, who is known for her innovative sound and intricate production. “Imogen Heap is my idol—my number one favorite musician, songwriter, and producer of all time,” Grande explained in the interview. “When I got a message from her, I literally thought, ‘This can’t be real. There’s no way she’s actually reaching out to me.'”
Grande was initially so overwhelmed by the idea of meeting Heap that she questioned whether it was a prank. “She invited me over, and I thought I was going to be murdered because I didn’t believe it was real,” Grande said with a laugh. “But she was so nice. She’s brilliant in every way.”
Heap, who is best known for her hits like “Hide and Seek” and “Just for Now,” has been a major influence on Grande’s music for years. The two first connected over a shared love of music, with Grande expressing admiration for Heap’s artistry in interviews as far back as 2013. At that time, Grande uploaded a cover of Heap’s “Just for Now” to her YouTube channel and told Billboard, “I’m absolutely her number one fan.”
Grande has often praised Heap’s unique approach to music. “Her brain is a musical heaven. Every single part of each of her songs is so intricate, and I just can’t get enough of her,” Grande said in a 2013 interview. “I love music more than anything, and she’s just a big cloud of music happiness and harmonies and sounds. I just want to live in her brain forever.”
Over the years, the two artists formed a close bond, and Heap even recalled an unforgettable moment from Grande’s 21st birthday in 2014. “I think for her 21st birthday, her mom emailed me somehow and asked, ‘Can Ariana come over for dinner?'” Heap said in a 2018 interview with Billboard. “So she came to my house in the middle of the countryside in the outskirts of London, and I didn’t have my mobile on, so I couldn’t hear her calling me. They were completely lost, going up and down this weird backstreet of the countryside.”
Heap was aware of Grande’s nerves at the time, recalling that the Thank U, Next singer was unsure whether she was walking into a setup. “I think Ariana really thought that it was a big setup where she was going to get murdered,” Heap said with a smile.
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Despite the initial tension, the two hit it off, with Grande later using Heap’s innovative Mi.Mu gloves during her Honeymoon tour in 2015. These gloves use physical movement to create sound, and Grande employed them during a performance of “Why Try” from her My Everything album.
Their professional relationship deepened in 2018 when Grande recorded a reimagined version of Heap’s 2005 song “Goodnight and Go” for her album Sweetener. Heap expressed her admiration for Grande’s rendition, calling it a “gift.” “It feels like a gift: when somebody that famous picks up on a song that has had its day and gives it a second life, it’s a real gift,” Heap told Billboard. “I think she’s done a lovely version of it.”
The two artists also shared a poignant moment together at the 2017 One Love Manchester benefit concert, where Heap joined Grande on stage to perform. The concert, which was organized by Grande after the tragic bombing at her Manchester concert, raised millions for the victims of the attack.
Heap is experiencing a resurgence of attention for her 2005 song “Headlock,” which has gone viral on TikTok. The song has been used in over 119,000 videos on the platform, leading to a boost in its popularity worldwide. It’s a testament to the enduring influence of Heap’s music, as well as the power of social media to bring older tracks to a new generation of listeners.
Grande’s connection with Heap continues to inspire her own musical journey. As she prepares for her role as Glinda in the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, Grande’s passion for musicality and her respect for artists like Heap remain central to her creative process. “Imogen has always been my biggest inspiration,” Grande said. “She’s just a force. I’m beyond grateful to know her, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
For Grande, meeting her idol wasn’t just a career highlight—it was a dream come true. And as she continues to grow as an artist, she remains in awe of Heap’s talent, which continues to shape the world of music.
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