The Ultimate Showdown: 5 Ways Ariana Grande And Selena Gomez Dominated Hollywood In 2025

The narrative surrounding Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez has always been one of subtle competition, but in a surprising twist, the year 2025 cemented their status as parallel powerhouses, not rivals. Both global superstars, who began their careers as teen sensations, found themselves at the epicenter of the Hollywood awards circuit, trading red carpet appearances and nominations for their respective blockbuster projects, solidifying their quiet, supportive friendship amidst the dazzling spotlight.

The recent awards season, which extended well into December 2025, highlighted a fascinating duality: two former Disney/Nickelodeon stars who successfully transitioned into critically acclaimed actresses while maintaining their dominance in the pop music world. This article dives deep into their intertwined paths, their recent monumental career milestones, and the truth behind their supportive relationship, proving that in Hollywood, two queens can indeed share the throne.

The Parallel Paths: Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez Biography & Recent Milestones

The journeys of Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez share remarkable similarities, beginning with their early starts in children's television before evolving into multi-hyphenate global brands. Here is a look at the biographical details and latest achievements that brought them head-to-head in the 2025 awards race.

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Ariana Grande-Butera

• Full Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
• Born: June 26, 1993
• Birthplace: Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Began her career on Broadway in the musical 13 (2008), gained prominence as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious. She is a Grammy-winning pop vocalist known for albums like Sweetener and Eternal Sunshine.
• 2025 Milestone: Earning a Golden Globe nomination and multiple Oscar nominations for her critically acclaimed performance as Galinda Upland in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked. She also performed a thrilling number from the film at the 97th Academy Awards.

Selena Marie Gomez

• Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
• Born: July 22, 1992
• Birthplace: Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Started on Barney & Friends, became a household name as Alex Russo on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place. She is a Grammy-nominated singer, a successful beauty entrepreneur with her brand Rare Beauty, and a mental health advocate.
• 2025 Milestone: Winning the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for her role as Mabel Mora in the hit Hulu series Only Murders in the Building (OMITB). She also secured a 2026 Golden Globe nomination for her work on the show.

1. The Awards Circuit Convergence: Wicked vs. OMITB

The most compelling story of their 2025 was their unexpected convergence on the awards circuit. While both stars have been staples at music awards for years, 2025 marked a significant acting 'showdown' in Hollywood's most prestigious events.

Ariana Grande, with her powerhouse performance in the highly anticipated film Wicked, found herself nominated for major accolades, including a Golden Globe, solidifying her transition from pop star to serious screen actress.

Meanwhile, Selena Gomez's role in Only Murders in the Building continued to garner critical acclaim, culminating in a surprising and emotional SAG Award win for the ensemble cast in February 2025. Her reaction to the win—mouthing "What?" in shock—became a viral moment, highlighting her genuine humility despite her superstar status.

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The two stars were frequently seen at the same events, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Palm Springs International Film Festival, showcasing a new era of their careers where they competed in different categories but shared the same prestigious platforms.

2. The Truth About Their "Feud": A Quietly Supportive Friendship

For years, tabloids speculated about a rivalry between the two stars, often fueled by their shared history with other celebrities or the simple fact that they are two of the biggest female pop artists of their generation. However, the reality is far from a celebrity feud; it is a story of mutual respect and quiet support.

The friendship between Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez dates back to at least 2013. In a recent interview, Selena revealed that Ariana was one of the first people to reach out and congratulate her on her Golden Globe nomination for OMITB.

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Ariana Grande herself addressed their recent interactions during the 2025 awards season, noting how nice it was to connect with Selena at various red carpet events. This public acknowledgment of their camaraderie has effectively silenced the long-standing rumors of any bad blood, replacing them with a narrative of female empowerment and shared success.

3. Musical Futures: From Eternal Sunshine to Dream Collaborations

While their acting careers dominated the 2025 headlines, their musical endeavors remain a core part of their topical authority. Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine album era extended into 2025, with the release of new tracks that kept her at the forefront of the pop music landscape.

Meanwhile, Selena Gomez, who has been focusing on her acting and beauty empire, has not slowed down her musical pursuits. She recently named Ariana Grande as her "top pick" for a future music project, fueling fan speculation about a potential collaboration. This desire for a duet, perhaps a dreamy, uplifting pop single, excites fans who have long wished to see the two titans of pop on the same track.

This potential future project—whether a single or a joint performance—would be a monumental moment for pop culture, combining Ariana's soaring vocals and whistle tones with Selena's signature breathy, emotional delivery. The anticipation for a collaboration between the "We Can't Be Friends" singer and the Rare Beauty founder continues to build, demonstrating that their careers are running on parallel, and sometimes intersecting, tracks.

4. The Business Empires: Rare Beauty vs. r.e.m. Beauty

Beyond music and acting, both artists have established powerful entrepreneurial ventures, adding another layer to their parallel success stories and LSI keywords. Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty has become a groundbreaking and highly successful makeup brand, lauded for its commitment to mental health advocacy and authentic marketing.

Ariana Grande, following a similar path, launched r.e.m. Beauty, a cosmic-themed makeup line that has quickly gained a loyal following. While the brands are competitors in the beauty space, their success further illustrates the business acumen and cultural influence of both women, showcasing their ability to translate celebrity into tangible, profitable, and meaningful ventures.

5. The Cultural Impact: Defining the Modern Multi-Hyphenate

Ultimately, the story of Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez in 2025 is not about who is "better," but how they are collectively defining what it means to be a modern multi-hyphenate superstar. They are not just singers or actresses; they are entrepreneurs, producers, and cultural trendsetters.

From the red carpet glamour of the SAG Awards and the Oscars to the charts with new music and the shelves with their makeup brands, both Ariana and Selena have demonstrated an unparalleled ability to navigate the complexities of fame. Their quiet, supportive friendship and the sheer volume of their 2025 accomplishments serve as a powerful testament to their individual talents and their shared status as two of the most influential women in the entertainment industry today.