“Take the Wild Path”: How Lady Gaga’s Fearless Philosophy Transformed Ariana Grande’s Music and Mindset
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
When Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande teamed up for their 2020 Grammy-winning anthem “Rain on Me,” it wasn’t just a collaboration — it was a creative awakening. Behind the glittering visuals and storm-soaked choreography was a deeper connection between two artists who understood pain, transformation, and the power of self-reinvention. But what few fans realized at the time was that Gaga’s influence on Grande didn’t end with that song — it reshaped the entire course of her next album and redefined her approach to artistry itself.
🌪️ The Philosophy That Changed Everything: “Take the Wild Path”
According to sources close to the two stars, Gaga’s private advice to Grande centered on one defining phrase:
“Take the wild path.”
For Gaga — a performer who has built her career on fearless experimentation and unapologetic authenticity — the phrase wasn’t about chaos, but courage. It became a mantra for Grande as she crafted her sixth studio album, Positions (2020), and began to step into a more liberated version of herself as both a musician and a woman.
While the rumored “15 crazy quotes” Gaga shared during their private conversations remain undisclosed, her well-documented philosophies — echoed in countless interviews, performances, and speeches — offer a clear picture of the creative energy she passed on.
💥 Three Rules Ariana Grande Broke After Gaga’s Influence
Lady Gaga’s mentorship inspired Grande to break from her formulaic pop past and reimagine what success could look like on her own terms. The result was a softer, more introspective, yet daringly confident era — one that reflected not perfection, but presence.
| Rule Broken | Before Gaga | After Gaga (in Positions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Pop Star Album Formula | Grande’s Sweetener and thank u, next were structured around blockbuster singles, chart dominance, and meticulously polished pop production. | She shifted to a cohesive R&B mood, focusing on immersive soundscapes rather than radio hits. The singles were understated, inviting fans to experience the album as a full emotional arc. |
| 2. Vulnerability as Spectacle | Her previous albums centered on public heartbreak and loss, with lyrics unpacking grief and resilience. | Grande’s vulnerability became intimate, playful, and sensual, reflecting emotional maturity rather than survival. Songs like “34+35” and “nasty” revealed joy in self-expression instead of pain. |
| 3. The “Signature Look” Rule | Known for her iconic high ponytail and pastel aesthetic, Grande maintained a consistent image that defined her brand. | Influenced by Gaga’s theatricality, she embraced visual experimentation, adopting a cinematic style in videos like “Positions” (where she portrayed the U.S. president), mixing glamour with satire and empowerment. |
In short, Ariana broke away from expectation — musically, emotionally, and visually — to rediscover her spontaneity.
💬 Gaga’s Words in Spirit
While the “15 quotes” exchanged privately remain under wraps, Gaga’s publicly shared wisdom throughout her career offers clues to the mindset she encouraged in Grande.
- “Don’t you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can’t be exactly who you are.”
→ Grande internalized this, diving into themes of self-ownership and mature love without apology. - “If you don’t have any shadows, you’re not standing in the light.”
→ Encouraged Ariana to show the contradictions of her humanity — strength, sensuality, and self-doubt — all at once. - “I don’t care what people think about me; I care what they think about themselves.”
→ Taught her to detach from public opinion and focus on the honesty of her art rather than its reception.
These mantras mirror Gaga’s own journey — from The Fame Monster to Chromatica — and they clearly left an imprint on Grande’s creative evolution.
🌈 From “Rain on Me” to Reinvention
Their collaboration on “Rain on Me” was more than a chart-topping hit — it was an emotional bridge. Gaga, who has openly discussed her battles with trauma and self-acceptance, became a mentor figure to Grande, who was still processing the aftermath of personal loss and public scrutiny.
Grande later described Gaga’s mentorship as “healing and beautiful,” emphasizing that it taught her to embrace imperfection and enjoy the artistic process again.
In turn, Gaga often praised Grande for her resilience, calling her “one of the strongest people I know.”
🎶 The Legacy of the Wild Path
Ariana’s Positions marked the start of a new creative philosophy — one that prioritized curiosity over control. It wasn’t designed to dominate the charts (though it still did); it was designed to breathe.
In embracing Gaga’s call to “take the wild path,” Ariana Grande didn’t just reinvent her sound — she redefined her sense of self.
And in an industry that thrives on predictability, that may be the boldest move of all.
