
Yo, LA fam, let’s talk about Ariana Grande stealing the spotlight at the 2025 MTV VMAs. Our girl walked away with the biggest prize of the night – Video of the Year – and absolutely slayed the red carpet in Hollywood. But while the rest of the industry was living it up at the after-parties, Ariana was nowhere to be seen in the usual downtown hotspots or West Hollywood haunts.
Turns out, she had other plans. The pop princess dropped a now-deleted Instagram Story at a shocking 5:26 A.M. on September 8, casually captioning it “off to work.” Talk about a hustle harder than a Monday morning on the 405 – while we’re still recovering from the weekend, Ari’s already clocking in!
So, what’s got Ariana skipping the late-night LA scene for an early bird grind? Word is, she’s deep in pre-production for her upcoming flick, *Focker In-Law*, which has her splitting time between music and acting like a true multi-hyphenate. Plus, she’s gearing up for her massive *Eternal Sunshine Tour*, set to kick off June 6, 2026, and run through August 23, 2026 – that’s some serious SoCal summer energy to prep for.
Back in July, Ari shut down any rumors of stepping away from music with a fiery Instagram post. She teased fans with promises of new tunes and performances next year, even if her schedule’s packed tighter than traffic on Sunset Boulevard. Balancing acting gigs, musical theater dreams, and tour plans? That’s peak LA hustle right there.
“I’m not abandoning music – it’s my lifeline, always has been. I’m just finding a way to make room for all my passions, and I can’t wait to sing for you all next year,” Ariana shared on social media, hyping up her return to the stage.
Okay, let’s not sleep on the fact that Ariana didn’t just win awards – she owned the fashion game at the VMAs. Even without a fifth after-party fit, she switched up her style four times during the night, each look more fire than the last. She kicked things off in a playful Fendi polka-dot peplum dress, channeling some serious vintage Hollywood glam.
Then, she turned up the heat in a sheer black Tamara Ralph gown that sparkled under the UBS Arena lights, followed by a breathtaking Steve O Smith number. She closed out the night in a sleek Givenchy by Sarah Burton minidress, proving once again why her longtime stylist, Law Roach, is the GOAT. If that’s not red carpet royalty, we don’t know what is!
During her acceptance speech for Video of the Year, Ariana got real with the crowd, reflecting on her creative path with a vibe that hit deep. She opened up about how art has been her safe haven since she was a kid, and how grateful she is to live this life with fans who’ve got her back. It’s that kind of authenticity that keeps us rooting for her, whether she’s in a studio in Burbank or on a movie set in Culver City.
Her words reminded us why she’s a true Cali dreamer – always chasing the next big thing, whether it’s a chart-topping single or a blockbuster role. So, while we missed her at the after-parties, we’re hyped to see what Ariana’s cooking up next. Keep grinding, girl – LA’s got your back!