Surprising stories behind 6 of Ariana's biggest hits
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Despite having only released three albums in her career, Ariana Grande has quickly become the biggest new popstar in recent memory. In just four short years, the 23-year-old has filled the gap in the market for a diva who isn't afraid of a banger.
Mixing the pop sensibilities of Britney Spears, the theatrical background of Lea Michele and the vocal powers of a certain singer *cough*Mariah*cough* in her prime, Ariana and her now iconic ponytail have nailed what it means to be a popstar in 2016.
What's more, we've seen more musical progression in those three years than most people manage in a career. From the doo-wop of Yours Truly, the out-and-out bangers of My Everything and the sultry sensuality of Dangerous Woman, it's pretty clear that Ms Grande is here to stay. So, with that in mind, we've listened back through her concise but accomplished discography and unearthed the surprising stories behind her biggest hits…
3. Ariana was so close to scrapping 'Problem' from her second album…
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'Problem' began its life as a demo that Savan Kotecha, one of Martin's protégés, was working on. Initially the track was nicknamed 'The Whisper Song', after The Ying Yang Twins' track. "I don't remember where I came up with it. Maybe in an airplane bathroom. On my phone I have an audio note where I whisper, 'One less problem.'" Kotecha told Rolling Stone.
This whispering originally freaked out Ariana, who wasn't too keen to record a song without a massive chorus. "Their objective was to do the opposite of a traditional song structure" she said. "The idea was to have a really belt-y verse and then a completely minimalistic, whispering, basic chorus. At first, I just didn't like being all belt-y right away."
2. Ariana really wanted Big Sean involved, but it wasn't until 'Right There' that they figured out where to put him…
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Having worked on her debut album for three years, Ariana really wanted Big Sean to feature on the record. "We couldn't figure out what the right song might be," she told ClevverTV.
"We wanted to have writing sessions and, like, jam together but we never found the time and we never found the right song," she said, expanding on the problem with MTV. "We were talking about a few other songs together but it just never worked out and it never was the right moment.
"Finally 'Right There' came along. And we were like 'Oh this is it'."
Surprisingly, Big Sean was actually who Samuels mentioned should feature on 'The Way' when the track was to be released by Jordin Sparks.
Initially, Ariana wanted 'Piano' to be a single. However, it seemed that despite the fact that 'Right There' had been given away with a pre-order of the album, radio was really receptive to the track
1. 'The Way' could have originally gone to Jordin Sparks…
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Initially going into sessions with American Idol alumni Jordin Sparks, Samuels began to work on his throwback sound. Ultimately, however, Sparks' label at the time weren't too happy with the direction they were taking. "I had these songs just sitting for 18 months, thinking one day this is going to go somewhere," Samuels enthused.
Luckily, he came across Ariana Grande, who was putting together her debut album. "Ari comes in the room and she sings, and I'm blown away by her voice," he said.
Ariana recalled how 'The Way' was the first song that Samuels had played her. "I said, 'Oh, that's it. We have to do that one – that's what we have to go with.'" She then decided that she'd get her friend and rapper Mac Miller involved, too.
"I went over to his house. I engineered the session," Ariana told Rolling Stone. "I recorded him rapping, while I was simultaneously baking cookies for him and that was that."
Recalling the first time that he heard the song, Republic Records executive Charlie Walk said that he came across it while working late. "I heard a song coming from Monte [Lipton, the co-founder of Republic Record's] office through my wall. He called me down and played a video, a DIY video of Ariana Grande. We heard the song and I immediately made the decision to set it up and put the song out."
The track was originally worked on by Ariana with Max Martin and Savan Kotecha. However, the song fully came to life after Martin drafted in EDM gremlin, Zedd.
Ariana and her now iconic ponytail have nailed what it means to be a popstar in 2016. 
