How Ariana Grande Became a Household Name in 2014

Updated on 12/22/2014 at 9:03 AM

Ariana Grande sure has changed a lot over the years, but 2014 was definitely the most transformative 12 months yet. The 21-year-old singer found huge success despite having been in the spotlight for years now — she got her start on Broadway in 2008 and landed a Nickelodeon series in 2010. In 2013, her first album debuted at the top of the Billboard charts, and she was named best new artist of the year at the American Music Awards, but it wasn't until this year that Ariana really blew up. Interest in Ariana peaked over the Summer following her performance with Iggy Azalea at the Billboard Awards and the rise of their single, "Problem," which launched at No. 1 on the Billboard Digital Songs charts. Keep reading to see how everyone (including Bette Midler) had Ariana on their minds, for better or for worse, this year.

You Might Have Seen Her in January at MTV's Artist to Watch Event

She Was at the Grammys in January, but You Probably Only Paid Attention to Jay Z and Beyoncé.

She Won a Statue at the Kids' Choice Awards, but Most People Were Just Talking About Her Hair

And Then in April, After the Release of "Problem," the Nation Saw Her Appearance on American Idol

She Performed the Song at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in May

And Again With Big Sean at a Wango Tango Concert . . . Sparking Relationship Rumors

She Got a Status Bump in May Just by Being Seen Next to Anna Wintour

And Then the Billboard Music Awards Happened and She Had Everyone's Attention

People Were Talking About Her Sexy Dance Moves and Stage Outfits

She Even Got Special Treatment at Disney World For Her 21st Birthday

By July, She Landed Her Own "Total Ariana Live" Show on MTV

And Even Got a Spot on Good Morning America

In August She Won Best Female Artist at the Teen Choice Awards

And Then Opened the MTV VMAs Just Days After Her Second Album Debuted at the Top of the Charts

She Mingled Backstage With Big Stars Like Miley Cyrus

And Got Supersexy Performing "Bang Bang" With Jessie J and Nicki Minaj

She Was Surrounded by Fans During Her Today Show Appearance in September

And Sang the National Anthem at an NFL Game

She and Nicki Got Back Together in September as "Bang Bang" Became a Worldwide Hit

And She Was Chosen to Perform on Saturday Night Live

In November, She Fought Back Against Diva Rumors, Showing Her Fans Extra Love in Scotland

The Worldwide Love Poured in When She Won Best Song at the European Music Awards

But Her Backstage Kiss With Big Sean Was What Had Everyone Talking

She Performed Not Once . . .

But Twice at the American Music Awards

And Kicked Off December at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in London

Where a Wing Mishap Turned Her Into a Hugely Popular (and Hilarious) Internet Meme

And you know you've really made it when you become a meme.