ariana grande billboard cover

[Arianas_Keeper 9]

Like she's just everywhere.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG9ltXNbDQQ

[CHANEL #1 12,907]

I don't like that cover but I wanna know why ha mother thought she'd grow up to be a serial killer

[Robert. 12,777]

I like her eye make-up.

 also love this:

 

Even though she's scored one of 2014's biggest summer hits and starred on a Nickelodeon series, Ariana Grande believes the public is woefully misinformed on Ariana Grande. If you ask her, the person behind "Problem" is far more "sardonic" than sweet.

In her new Billboard cover story, the 21-year-old singer attempts to brush aside the idea that she's a pint-sized Mariah Carey or a wholesome girl-next-door type by telling us the truth about the people -- some living, some dead, some murderous -- who have inspired her since childhood.

Here are five surprising role models Ariana Grande name-checks in the latest Billboard cover story.

Helena Bonham Carter
Describing herself as "a very weird little girl," Grande tells Billboard she took inspiration from cinema's reigning goth queen as a child: "I was like a mini-Helena Bonham Carter."

Freddy Krueger
"I always wanted to have face paint on or be wearing a Freddy Krueger mask, and I would carry a hockey stick around," she describes of life growing up in Boca Raton, Fla. Aside from aping Freddy and Jason, Ariana was obsessed with an aquatic serial killer, too: "For my fifth birthday party we had a Jaws theme and all my friends left crying."

India.Arie
Her YouTube covers of Whitney and Mariah aside, Grande was inspired by a less ubiquitous soul singer early in life. "When I was 14, I wanted to make a straight-up, like, India.Arie record," she explains. "Something really soulful."

Madonna
Okay, so a rising pop star idolizing Madonna isn't shocking, but the worshipful tone she adopts when speaking of Her Madgesty is arresting. "She is strength, she is freedom, she is wisdom beyond anybody's comprehension," says Grande.

Marlene Dietrich
Thanks to her beloved, recently departed grandfather, Grande says she's cultured an appreciation for the classics. "I have an obsession with all things vintage and classic and old-school, everything from Marlene Dietrich to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to Connie Francis." Seriously, name another 21-year-old pop singer talking about Connie Francis in 2014.

She's so well-educated and her taste is just flawless

[Arianas_Keeper 9]

I don't like that cover but I wanna know why ha mother thought she'd grow up to be a serial killer

Lol cause she use to like freddy kruegar and stuff i'm assuming. Prob thought she was crazy LOL

[The Ones That Entertain 775]

She needs to get different hair, it's killing me. The same exact style since the beginning of 2013! New album, new era, NEW HAIR!! 

[calethewhalee 819]

Awful cover. She's so beautiful and that's the best they could come up with?

[Teenage Wet Dream 2,909]

I love her so much I am falling in love with her HARD CORE

[Gilly 12,318]

im officially on board. break free has been slaying the living SHIT out of me and best mistake is ALSO a bop I love the cover. new avvie

[Maryanne 2,657]

This is hair is making her look even more thin

[Infrared 20,649]

she needs a new stylist to jazz it up

 

cover is ok

[Enthroned 0]

She needs to get different hair, it's killing me. The same exact style since the beginning of 2013! New album, new era, NEW HAIR!! 

 

she needs a new stylist to jazz it up

 

cover is ok

Agreed. 

Aryianna, is starting to bore me a little. Honestly, she is a good idol but, I really hope she changed up her style and sound a little.

[Electric 2,071]

Cover ain't that great, the white eyeliner puts it off. Also can she do some new style with her hair?

[Ryan 6,363]

I think they tried to channel Break Free with the cover and just no

 

[Andrew 1,128]

Wtf is she wearing