The Full Story Behind Ariana Grande-Butera: Why Her Real Name Is Back In The Spotlight
The Full Biography and Profile of Ariana Grande-Butera
Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to prominence in the early 2010s. Her career trajectory moved from Nickelodeon teen star to a global music superstar, renowned for her powerful voice and ability to blend R&B, pop, and trap influences. The hyphenated name itself is a tribute to her maternal and paternal lineages.
- Full Birth Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
- Stage Name: Ariana Grande
- Date of Birth: June 26, 1993
- Place of Birth: Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Parents: Joan Grande (Mother) and Edward Charles Butera (Father)
- Sibling: Frank James Michael Grande Marchione (Frankie Grande, older half-brother)
- Vocal Range: Four octaves, extending into the whistle register
- Major Career Breakthrough: Starring as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon series *Victorious* (2010–2013)
- Current Major Role: Glinda in the two-part film adaptation of *Wicked* (2024 and 2025)
- Latest Studio Album: *Eternal Sunshine* (Released March 8, 2024)
- Marital Status: Divorced from Dalton Gomez (Settlement finalized October 2023)
The Meaning Behind "Grande-Butera": A Family Legacy
The hyphen in Ariana Grande-Butera is more than just a formality; it is a blend of two distinct family names, reflecting her parents' surnames. This naming convention is particularly common in Italian-American families, which is a significant part of Ariana’s heritage. The name "Grande" comes from her mother, Joan Grande, a successful CEO of the manufacturing company Hose-McCann Communications. The name "Butera" comes from her father, Edward Butera, a talented graphic designer and artist.
For most of her professional life, the singer has used the truncated stage name Ariana Grande. This is a common practice in the entertainment industry, making the name memorable and easier to market. However, her recent choice to re-embrace the "Butera" part of her name has drawn considerable attention and applause from fans and the media alike.
The relationship between Ariana and her father, Edward Butera, has been publicly acknowledged as complex. They had a period of estrangement, which she has spoken about in the past. Her choice to use the full name in a major film project is widely seen as a public gesture of reconciliation and love, symbolizing a healed and strengthened bond with her father.
Why "Ariana Grande-Butera" is on the 2024/2025 *Wicked* Credits
The most significant and recent update regarding Ariana’s name came in 2024, when it was revealed that the credits for the highly anticipated *Wicked* film adaptation would list her as Ariana Grande-Butera. This was a deliberate choice, and the singer explained the emotional, "full-circle" reasoning behind it.
She shared in interviews that the name "Ariana Grande-Butera" was the name she used as a child when she first went to see the Broadway production of *Wicked*. By using her full birth name for the film, she was honoring that young girl's dream and marking the momentous return to her acting roots. It was a sentimental way to connect her current, global Pop Icon status with her earliest aspirations in musical theater.
The decision also served as a powerful tribute to her father, Edward Butera, whose surname is included in the full name. The usage of both the Grande and Butera surnames in such a monumental project speaks volumes about the importance of family and personal history to the artist, even as her stage name remains one of the most recognizable brands in modern music.
This subtle but powerful detail has been a major talking point for fans awaiting the film, which stars Grande as Glinda the Good Witch. The film's second part is scheduled for release in 2025, ensuring the name "Ariana Grande-Butera" will remain in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
From Nickelodeon Star to Global Pop Icon: The Evolution of "Ariana Grande"
Before becoming the celebrated singer with hit singles like "7 Rings" and "Positions," Ariana Grande-Butera started her career on Broadway in the musical *13*. Her first major taste of fame came when she was cast as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon show *Victorious* (2010–2013), and later in its spin-off, *Sam & Cat*. It was during this period that she solidified her stage name, "Ariana Grande."
Her transition to a music career was explosive. After signing with Republic Records, her debut album, *Yours Truly* (2013), immediately showcased her stunning four-octave vocal range and her ability to hit the whistle register. Successive albums, including *My Everything*, *Dangerous Woman*, and the blockbuster *Thank U, Next*, cemented her status as a global superstar, consistently breaking streaming records and dominating the pop charts.
The decision to use only "Grande" as her professional moniker is a practical one, common among celebrities for branding and simplicity. However, the recent re-introduction of "Butera" into her professional life for the *Wicked* credits demonstrates a mature artist who is comfortable embracing her complete identity. This move adds a layer of depth to her public persona, connecting the international Pop Icon with her personal, family-rooted identity as Ariana Grande-Butera.
Name Changes and Personal Life: Dalton Gomez and Beyond
Another point of interest regarding her name is her personal life, specifically her marriage to and subsequent divorce from real estate agent Dalton Gomez. The couple married in a private ceremony in 2021. In many marriages, a spouse will legally adopt their partner's surname. However, even during the marriage, the singer continued to be professionally known as Ariana Grande. The divorce settlement was finalized in October 2023.
While she was married, there was speculation about whether she would legally become Ariana Gomez. However, the latest professional information, particularly the use of Ariana Grande-Butera in the 2024/2025 *Wicked* credits, confirms that her legal and preferred full name remains tied to her birth surname. Her focus has clearly shifted to her professional projects, including the *Wicked* films, her latest album *Eternal Sunshine*, and her current relationship with co-star Ethan Slater, all while embracing the full name that connects her to her family history.
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