Vocal Coach Analysis: Ariana Grande x The Wizard and I (LIVE)

Ariana Grande, a pop powerhouse, recently wowed musical‑theatre fans with her rendition of “The Wizard and I” from Wicked.

While she’s best known for chart‑topping hits, this performance showcases a surprising blend of pop agility and Broadway technique. Below, we break down the key vocal elements that make Ariana’s version stand out, offering practical takeaways for singers who want to capture that same balance of lightness, control, and drama.

Light Chest Voice Meets Head Voice

Ariana starts the song with a light chest voice, giving the opening lines a warm, speech‑like quality that feels effortless. As the melody climbs, she subtly adds head‑voice resonance, a hallmark of pop styling.

This combination creates a bright tone without the weight of full‑belting, allowing the emotional narrative to shine through. To emulate this sound, singers should keep the jaw relaxed, maintain a modest mouth opening (about the width of a finger), and avoid excessive tension that can push the voice into a strained chest register.

Throat and Thyroid Tilt for Higher Notes

One of the most effective techniques Ariana employs is a slight forward tilt of the thyroid cartilage—commonly called thyroid tilt. This subtle chin lift stretches the vocal folds, enabling smoother access to higher pitches while preserving a clear tone.

The result is a bright, resonant sound that carries the song’s soaring moments without sounding forced. Practicing a gentle chin‑up while singing scales helps develop the sensation of a lifted larynx, making high notes feel more.

Managing Vocal‑Fold Thickness and Breath Support

Throughout the performance, Ariana varies vocal‑fold thickness to shape dynamics:

• Thicker folds for louder, more resonant phrases (“you truly are”).
• Thinner folds for lighter, airy passages and brief falsetto moments.

She complements these changes with carefully timed breath support, allowing a small breath of air to sustain lower notes and building pressure for the louder sections. Singers can practice this by singing a phrase in chest voice, then adding a controlled breath before the next note to feel the shift from thin to thick fold engagement.

Precise Vowel Shaping and Mouth Position

Ariana’s vowel strategy is both simple and effective. She keeps her mouth open just enough—a narrow space between the teeth—to maintain clarity while avoiding a gaping opening that could dilute tone.

When the song calls for a darker timbre, she subtly drops the tongue and rounds the “O” shape, adding richness without sacrificing brightness. A useful exercise is to place a finger between the front teeth while sustaining a vowel; this encourages the ideal mouth width and helps singers stay aware of vowel placement throughout a line.

Belting, Falsetto, and the Seamless Blend

Although “The Wizard and I” isn’t a full‑on belting showcase, Ariana injects brief belted bursts that are supported by her throat tilt and breath pressure. Her breathy falsetto sections retain the same throat positioning, preventing a sudden transition that could break the musical line.

To replicate this blend, practice a short, sharp burst of air at the start of a high note (the “short, sharp, high breath” technique) and then glide into a gentle falsetto, keeping the larynx forward and relaxed.

Jaw and Tongue Tension Awareness

Ariana’s occasional jaw lift serves as a release for tongue‑root tension, but she avoids clenching or excessive movement that could cause strain. Monitoring the jaw and tongue during fast runs ensures that any tension is quickly released, preserving vocal freedom. Singers should pause during a run, notice any tightness, relax the jaw, and continue with a smooth, unrestricted tone.

Practical Takeaways for Singers

• Mouth opening: Keep a finger‑width space between teeth for clarity.
• Thyroid tilt: Light chin lift while singing higher notes for a lifted larynx.
• Vocal‑fold thickness: Use breath to switch between thin (airy) and thick (powerful) sounds.
• Breath support: Add a controlled breath before louder phrases; use a brief breath burst for belting.
• Vowel shaping: Slightly round the tongue for darker timbre; keep vowels open but not overly wide.
• Jaw relaxation: Lift the jaw only to release tension; avoid clenching during runs.

Why Ariana’s Approach Works for Musical Theatre

Ariana Grande proves that pop technique and musical‑theatre style can coexist beautifully. By maintaining a balanced, light chest voice, employing precise throat tilt, and managing vowel placement, she delivers a performance that honors the dramatic demands of Wicked while showcasing her signature pop flair. For singers in either genre, studying these elements offers a roadmap to a more versatile, expressive voice.