Just like Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish has also made a name for herself in the pop music industry. Both singer-songwriters got into music in their teenage years and have multiple awards to their names. Both singers released their debut albums at a very young age, with Ariana releasing hers when she was 20, and Eilish releasing hers at 17.
Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish are close friends and have openly supported each other in various award shows. Joining the industry young, both the stars are also familiar with the struggles of growing up in the public eye.
In 2020, when the bad guy singer received her first-ever Grammy for her debut album, she acknowledged Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next in her acceptance speech.
Eilish said Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next "deserves" the Grammy
In 2020, the albums of both Eilish and Grande were nominated for Album of The Year at the 62nd Grammy Awards. When Billie Eilish was announced as the winner of the award and went on-stage to receive it, she said in her speech:
"Can I just say that I think Ariana deserves this? Thank U, Next got me through some sh*t. And I think it deserves more than anything in the world. I love you so much."
In the video, Ariana was seen close to tears on hearing Billie's words, and sent a flying kiss her way while saying, "Take your moment, girl."
While Billie's acknowledgment marked the first public step of the singers' friendship, Eilish attended Ari's performance in 2019 as the Positions singer headlined Coachella. She also went backstage to hug and congratulate the singer, according to Grande's fandom wiki page.
In 2020, during an episode of Billie Eilish's me & dad radio, her father, Patrick O'Connell, revealed that the singer had been a huge fan of Grande growing up. He said:
"Before you were the Billie Eilish thing, you would sit in your room and do Ariana Grande songs."
In 2024, when Billie Eilish was interviewed by CBS Mornings at the 66th Grammys Awards, she was asked about new music when she said:
"Let Ariana put her s*** out. Enjoy that. That's, like, all I'm waiting for."
The Birds of a Feather singer then gestured to be checking her watch implying that she is waiting for Grande's album to drop.
Ariana Grande presented Eilish and Finneas with an Oscar in 2024
In 2024, Billie Eilish's What Was I Made For? was nominated at the 96th Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Ariana Grande, who was also attending the award show, appeared to be genuinely moved as she enjoyed Eilish and Finneas's performance of their nominated song. Her reaction was captured and went viral on social media platforms.
Later, the NASA singer was also invited on-stage to give out the award for the Best Original Song. As Ari opened the envelope to check the winner's name, she gave an audible gasp of a pleasant surprise on finding Eilish's name inside. After announcing her and Finneas as winners, Grande also hugged the Blue singer twice as Eilish arrived on stage to accept her award.
Both Eilish and Grande released their studio albums this year. Eilish's Hit Me Hard and Soft and Grande's Eternal Sunshine have both performed well commercially, with the music videos of some of their tracks still pending. While the duo is yet to work together, their fans eagerly await a collaboration.
Check out Apple TV+'s cutest new show HERE