Ariana Grande has just signed up to play Glinda in Wicked, but her current wardrobe is more rom-com than musical theatre. For her first live show on the US version of The Voice, the pint-sized popstrel looked to Versace – who else? – for a va va voom look that spelled out showbiz.
Grande’s spring/summer 2003 tropical minidress not only tapped into the growing trend for vintage red-carpet wear, thus hammering home the importance of archival fashion to her young audience, but also paid homage to a playful moment in pop culture.
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Reconfirming her status as a 13 Going on 30 fan girl, Grande wore the cut-out glittery dress Jennifer Garner wears as Jenna Rink in the 2004 film. Six months in the making, according to Ariana’s stylist Mimi Cuttrell, the flippy rainbow-striped partywear is cute, yet commanding; much like the “7 rings” singer herself.
Missing from the Noughties homage? Garner’s Y2K-tastic butterfly necklace, but Ariana did stretch to crystal waterfall earrings, purple eyeshadow and a perfectly sticky amount of lip gloss for the occasion. Her signature high ponytail was also brushed out in favour of the wispy up ’do that Garner managed to pull off in the cheesy silver-screen favourite.
The longtime Jenna Rink acolyte – Ariana previously referenced the film in the video for her track “Thank U, Next” – has certainly set a precedent for what else is to come during her stint on The Voice. Here’s hoping she continues her “flirty and thriving” retro streak. To quote Donatella herself, going old-school looks “gorgeous” on Grande.