Ariana Grande defends change to her speaking voice amid criticism

Ariana Grande has addressed a recent viral clip in which her speaking voice can be heard drastically changing, claiming the shift is partly due to her efforts to protect her singing voice.

The pop star, 30, responded to the popular TikTok, which featured a clip of her interview on Penn Badgley’s “Podcrushed” podcast last week. The video, which was posted on Monday, already holds more than 876,000 likes, as well as numerous comments appearing to poke fun at her vocal change.

“I intentionally change my vocal placement (high / low) often depending on how much singing I’m doing,” Grande commented on the TikTok video Tuesday.

She called the shift a “habit” she’s had for the past two years — something she does for her “vocal health.”

“I’ve always done this BYE,” she concluded her message.

Some of the comments she appeared to be replying to included one that read, “This is so scary … like is she OK?” Another user wrote in all caps, “GLINDA LET HER GO,” implying her character from “Wicked” was somehow holding her hostage.

The “Thank U, Next” singer has been open about her vocal transformation for her “Wicked” role and the extensive training which may have affected her voice.

This is not the first time that Grande’s speaking voice has come under public scrutiny. Similar reactions occurred when she presented an award at the Oscars in March and many took notice of her higher-pitched tone.

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