Ariana Grande posted new Instagram selfies, and the internet immediately zeroed in on one thing: the ponytail is back.
The singer and actress shared a string of new photos this week wearing a long ponytail, and fans reacted like a beloved pop-culture landmark had just returned. It was not quite the sky-high pony from her early career, but it was close enough to send people into nostalgia mode.
For longtime fans, the hairstyle is tied to a very specific Ariana era. The high ponytail became one of her most recognizable looks during the 2010s, especially after her Nickelodeon years and early pop domination.
Now, after years of blonde Glinda styling for ‘Wicked’ and ‘Wicked: For Good,’ fans are reading the darker, longer ponytail as a sign that Grande is stepping into a new chapter.
Fans Got Emotional Over The Ponytail
The comments came fast.
“She’s back to looking somewhat like herself,” one fan wrote.
Another summed up the mood with, “Nature is healing.”
Others kept it simple. “This makes me so happy :)” one person commented, while another wrote, “the ponytail! the heels!”
One fan just went straight for the obvious: “Hairrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!”
Grande also seemed happy with the look. She replied to celebrity hairstylist Alyx Liu, writing, “i love this long (not high) pony @alyxliu sm and you.”
The distinction matters. This was not a full return to the ultra-high ponytail that defined her earlier image. It was softer, longer and less severe. Still, fans clearly saw enough Ariana classic in it to freak out.
Her Old Ponytail Had A Real Backstory
Grande’s ponytail was not just branding.
Years ago, she explained that she wore the look partly because her hair had been badly damaged after repeatedly dyeing it red for her Nickelodeon role on ‘Victorious.’ The ponytail became a way to manage the damage while still maintaining a strong public image.
Since then, she has experimented with different styles. She wore blonde hair throughout the long ‘Wicked’ press run, showed off short natural curls for a moment and brought back her signature pony at the 2026 Golden Globes in January.
This week’s selfies made the comeback feel more official to fans.
Grande Is Moving Beyond Oz
The hair reaction also comes as Grande prepares to move on from her Glinda era.
After the massive ‘Wicked’ cycle, she has several major projects ahead. Her upcoming album ‘Petal’ is scheduled for release on July 31, and she is also heading out on tour for ‘Eternal Sunshine,’ her first concert tour since 2019’s ‘Sweetener World Tour.’
Grande is also returning to comedy with ‘Focker-in-Law,’ the next film in the ‘Meet the Parents’ franchise, alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The movie is set for release on Nov. 25.
She is also joining Season 13 of ‘American Horror Story,’ heading to London’s West End in 2027 for ‘Sunday in the Park With George’ with Jonathan Bailey and starring in an animated adaptation of ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ in 2028.
So yes, the ponytail got the internet talking. The bigger picture is that Grande’s post-Glinda era is already packed.
