3 Shocking Reasons Ariana Grande Skipped The 2025 Grammys Despite Her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ Nominations

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 2, 2025, were a night of major triumphs and even bigger controversies, but no storyline was more talked about than the curious case of Ariana Grande. The pop superstar, whose highly anticipated seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, was a critical and commercial success, was notably absent from the ceremony.

As of today, December 10, 2025, the conversation still swirls around her decision to skip the event, especially since she had secured three major nominations. Her non-attendance fueled speculation—was it the infamous "snub" from the top categories, or something else entirely? The true reasons are a blend of artistic priorities and a major industry oversight.

Ariana Grande: A Brief Biography & Career Profile

Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who has become one of the most influential pop artists of her generation. Born on June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida, Grande began her career in the entertainment industry at a young age.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
• Born: June 26, 1993 (Age 32 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur
• Genres: Pop, R&B, Trap, Dance-Pop
• Notable Albums: Yours Truly (2013), My Everything (2014), Dangerous Woman (2016), Sweetener (2018), Thank U, Next (2019), Positions (2020), Eternal Sunshine (2024)
• Major Acting Roles: Cat Valentine in Victorious and Sam & Cat, Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked (Part One and Two)
• Grammy Wins (Prior to 2025): 2 (Best Pop Vocal Album for Sweetener and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Rain on Me" with Lady Gaga)

The 2025 Grammy Nominations: What Ariana Grande Was Up For

Despite her notable absence, Ariana Grande's seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, was a significant contender at the 67th Grammy Awards. The album, co-produced by pop heavyweights Max Martin and ILYA, earned her three nominations, extending her impressive streak of Grammy recognition.

These nominations were a testament to the album's critical reception and commercial performance, which saw it debut at number one globally. The tracks explored themes of divorce, healing, and moving forward, resonating deeply with fans and critics alike.

Ariana Grande's 67th Annual Grammy Award Nominations:

• Best Pop Vocal Album: Eternal Sunshine (Nominee)
• Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "The Boy Is Mine" (with Brandy and Monica) (Nominee)
• Best Dance Pop Recording: (Nominee for a track from the album, likely "Yes, And?")

While winning in any of these categories would have been a huge achievement, the focus quickly shifted to the categories where she was completely overlooked.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

The Biggest Controversy: The ‘Eternal Sunshine’ Snub

The primary reason for the intense media focus and fan outrage surrounding Grande's 2025 Grammy run was the glaring omission of Eternal Sunshine from the "Big Four" categories. The album was shut out from:

• Album of the Year
• Record of the Year
• Song of the Year

This exclusion from the most prestigious awards was widely labeled as a "snub" by critics and the "Arianator" fanbase. Many felt that an album of Eternal Sunshine's caliber—which received strong reviews and produced chart-topping singles like "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)" and "Yes, And?"—deserved a spot in the Album of the Year lineup.

The Recording Academy's decision to relegate the album to only the genre-specific categories (Pop Vocal Album) sparked a debate about the relevance of the Grammys and their process for selecting mainstream pop entries. This perceived disrespect is widely cited as the first and most significant reason for her decision to skip the event entirely.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

The Real Reasons Ariana Grande Skipped the Ceremony

While the Grammy snub provided the emotional context for her absence, the actual reasons are likely more practical and career-focused. Grande's no-show marked the fifth consecutive year she has skipped the Grammys, signaling a clear shift in her priorities.

1. The All-Consuming ‘Wicked’ Commitment

The most concrete and undeniable reason for her absence was her commitment to her acting career. Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Grande was heavily involved in the production of the two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, where she plays the lead role of Glinda.

Filming for such a massive project demands an intense, non-stop schedule that often makes travel and public appearances impossible. After attending other high-profile events related to Wicked, the decision to prioritize her film work over a non-essential music awards show, especially one where she felt undervalued, was a practical choice.

2. The Perceived Disconnect with the Recording Academy

Ariana Grande has a complex relationship with the Grammys, having previously withdrawn from performing and attending over creative differences. The 2025 snubs, particularly the exclusion from Album of the Year, likely reinforced a sentiment that the Recording Academy does not fully appreciate her work, especially compared to other artists in the same field.

By choosing to skip the event, Grande sent a clear message that she does not need the Grammys' validation, preferring to focus on her artistic output and other major projects like her R.E.M. Beauty brand and the Wicked films. This move is seen by many fans as a powerful statement against an industry that often overlooks critically acclaimed pop work.

3. Focusing on 'Eternal Sunshine' Deluxe and Future Projects

Leading up to and following the Grammys, Grande was also focused on the release of the deluxe edition of her album, *eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead*. This version appended six new tracks to the original, including a new collaboration.

Her focus remained on creating new music and promoting the expanded version of the album, rather than engaging in the awards circuit drama. This dedication to continuous content creation and artistic output over red-carpet appearances is a modern trend for many top-tier artists.

In the end, Ariana Grande’s absence from the 2025 Grammys became as big a story as the winners themselves. It highlighted the ongoing tension between commercial success, critical acclaim, and the Recording Academy’s choices, cementing the Eternal Sunshine snub as one of the most talked-about moments of the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.