Ariana Grande's Gory “Petal” Music Video Proves She’s in a New Era

Ariana Grande Soft Launches Ricky Álvarez Romance After Reconciliation RumorsHeartbreak won’t bite here in paradise—but Ariana Grande might. The 33-year-old dropped the music video for her song “petal,” the latest single from her eighth studio album of the same name that was released on July 31. In the video, Grande plays a doe-eyed aspiring actress named Pepper who endures rejection after rejection while auditioning at Fame Inc, playfully alluding to the “Into You” singer’s own journey in the entertainment industry. And in case you were expecting Glinda the Good Witch, she is nowhere to be found here. As Grande sings in the song, “All of my favorite stories end in some kind of catastrophe,” and the music video is no different. Indeed, the “petal” video ends in a blood-soaked chainsaw massacre, with Pepper slicing up the executives who constantly picked apart her appearance and talent. While the “yes, and?” artist may have had to drop out of season 13 of American Horror Story earlier this year, it’s clear that she’s still a scream queen. And the visuals match the tone of the album, which Grande previously described as “a little feral.” The Wicked star recently shared that she channeled her “unfiltered rage” into her new songs, resulting in a project that’s darker than what she’s used to. “It pulls from many different parts of myself and yet, at the same time, it is very experimental and different for me,” she said in an Apple Music clip posted on July 29. “I wrote from a place that I don’t usually, which was like an unfiltered rage that I think we all feel sometimes.”Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesNoting that she often feels too shy to tap into her anger, Grande—who recently rekindled her romance with Ricky Alvarez following her breakup with Ethan Slater earlier this year—explained that she felt uninhibited in creating the album. “This time, I didn’t filter as much as I usually do,” she continued. “I usually do a lot of rewrites and make things a little kinder. This time, I didn’t.” With this latest dark turn in her music, read on to see how the “positions” singer has evolved throughout the years…Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesGlam GirlAriana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesDarling DivaThe Sam & Cat star stunned in a charming white mini-dress at the 2011 Grammy Awards. She paired her simple, yet striking outfit with sparkly gold heels and dainty jewelry pieces.Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesRadiant in RedAriana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards in her red Dolce & Gabbana dress.Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion WeekVintage VibesServing fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.Mark Davis/Getty ImagesRay of SunshineThe "Dangerous Woman" singer made a splash at the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Matching the orange carpet, Grande wore a vibrant mini-dress and paired it with white pumps and a whimsical clutch.Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesDashing in BlackAriana oozed with old Hollywood glamour at the 2014 American Music Awards. She opted for a floor-length black lace gown from MT Costello.Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARASWhite-HotWearing a white gown with silver lamé mesh at the 2015 Grammy Awards, Ariana shined as bright as the flashing lights on the red carpet.Todd Williamson/Getty ImagesEffortlessly ElegantBeaming in a floral beaded, peplum mini-dress at the 2015 American Music Awards, Ariana stunned in this statement-making piece from Giambattista Valli.Neil P. Mockford/GC ImagesVision in WhiteThe Grammy winner waved as she arrived at her 2015 KISS FM appearance in a white ensemble, matching heels and hair buns. Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesPenchant for PantsuitsDitching the usual dress at the 2016 American Music Awards, the "Problem" artist opted for a sexy corset top and elegant white pants.CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty ImagesOversized OverallsAriana rocked a funky fresh outfit at the 2016 Hairspray Live! press junket. She sizzled in oversized overalls, a bralette and a bedazzled choker necklace.David Becker/Getty ImagesRoyal BluesAriana brought the heat to the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Her Atelier Versace dress highlighted her playful side with its unique cut-out design and bright colors.John Shearer/Getty ImagesGod Is a WomanAriana took fans to church with her Sistine Chapel-inspired dress at the 2018 Met Gala. Megan McCluskey designed the gown in keeping with event's theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMediaCotton Candy DreamAriana looked like a cotton candy dream in her pastel pink ensemble at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango event. Giving us '90s nostalgia, she rocked platinum sneakers, matching ankle socks and an oversized sweater that states, "girls girls girls."Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BillboardLavender "Loofah"The "7 Rings" singer looked regal and elegant in her custom Christian Siriano dress, which she perfectly dubbed the "loofah of the year" lewk. Of course, she tied her outfit together by wearing her signature thigh-high boots.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording AcademySIlver SirenNot only did the pop star turn heads with two outfit changes at the 2020 Grammys red carpet, but her platinum blonde pony was all anyone could talk about at the time.InstagramCurly SueAriana said thank u, next to her signature high pony by sharing a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.Instagram13 Going on 30The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.InstagramBlonde BeautyOne short day in October 2022, the Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look. David Swanson/AFP via Getty ImagesWickedly GoodAriana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.Gotham/Getty ImagesGoddess of the GardenFor the 2024 Met Gala, which had a "Garden of Time" dress code to celebrate the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit, Ariana wore an ethereal white gown from Loewe featuring a mother of pearl bodice—a nod to her birthstone—and long chiffon skirt.Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesAn Enchanting EveningWhile Ariana had several magical outfits throughout both Wicked press tours, this Custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown she wore to the 2025 Wicked: For Good premiere in New York—made with 200 meters of silk organza and tulle divided into 20 ruffles—was particularly popular.Arturo Holmes/WireImageOscars ReadyIn fact, she wore the same designer for her first Academy Award nomination at the 2025 Oscars. She truly shimmered as the pink satin duchess and nude tulle number featured more than 190,000 crystal sequins, rhinestones and beads.Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesGorgeous GownDaydreamin' of the details for Ariana's dress for the 2026 Golden Globes? The beautiful black dress was a Vivienne Westwood design.For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App