Ariana Grande Does A Full Split In Three-Part Grammys Performance

each year ago, Ariana Grande and the Grammys were in a little bit of a weird spot. Grande, whose album Thank U, Next was released mere days before the 2019 ceremony, determined to bow out of her scheduled efficiency, tweeting that "my creativity & self expression was stifled" by producer Ken Ehrlich. (She won her first Grammy anyway.)


This year, though, Grande's making up for lost time. As soon as she took the stage at the 2020 ceremony, she didn't just sing a sole song, or perhaps two. The pop superstar rolled through an intimate "Imagine," a statement-making "7 Rings" (including an introductory bit of "My Preference Things," a song it interpolates), and also a sweetly simple "Thank U, Next" to close things out.


With more than a few choreo, an outfit swap, and even a change of scenery, Ari made his time count — and shrank the grand Sweetener tour down to its most emotional parts.


First up was a minimalist take on "Imagine" sung in front of a glowing blue and purple orb, not unlike the ones that adorned the stage backdrop on her tour. With a little bit help from a lush string section (including a harp), the delicate Thank U, Next cut set a common awards-show scene, one Grande kept up with her long gloves plus a dark dress. The strings also lent "My Preference Things" some extra drama — and then it was playtime.


A quick costume change into a silky, poofy robe led into a bedroom set change where a pink-hued slumber party, like the one in the song's beloved video, featured tons and tons of choreo. Ari got loose, did a split (!), Rolled into a genuine strut, and punctuated things with a cash toss. Naturally.


An a cappella "Thank U, Next" saw Ari changing the lyrics a little bit ("I be thinking about my dad / 'Cause he's really awesome"); the entire thing noticed a very soft landing with string accompaniment plus a tender ending right on the bed, putting her ring (one of the seven, needless to say) back inside its box, plus a smile.


Grande dressed like a gray cloud emoji on the red carpet and even noticed time for a fast outfit change as well. She's up for Album of the Year and Record of the Year tonight as well.


Find all of MTV News's 2020 Grammys coverage right here.