Leon Thomas Shares His Favorite Writing Moments with Ariana Grande Following Their 2026 Grammy Win
NEED TO KNOW
- Leon Thomas shared with PEOPLE that one of his favorite writing experiences was collaborating with former co-star Ariana Grande.
- Thomas and Grande gained fame on the Disney series Victorious, portraying Andre Harris and Cat Valentine, respectively.
- This year, Thomas received six Grammy nominations and won Best R&B Album.
The bonds formed during Victorious continue to thrive, as highlighted by Leon Thomas.
In an interview after accepting the Grammy for Best R&B Album at the 2026 ceremony, Thomas reflected on his musical journey and the joy of writing for others, singling out his collaboration with Ariana Grande as a standout experience.
“She is such a beautiful voice, and to see how she can flip a song around and really make it her own was beautiful,” said the 32-year-old musician.
Thomas emphasized Grande’s skills as a co-writer, noting their friendship plays a crucial role in their musical success.
Both artists emerged from Victorious, a series that follows students at a performing arts school, which afforded them a platform to explore their artistry.
“Here I am, following in her footsteps,” Thomas remarked, reflecting on their parallel journeys to Grammy recognition.
Alex Warren and Leon Thomas at the 2026 Grammys.
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Grande, meanwhile, won a 2026 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Duo, performing “Defying Gravity” alongside her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo.
Earlier this year, Thomas received six Grammy nominations, a significant recognition of his work that he discussed with PEOPLE in December 2025.
“Nominations started rolling in. And to my surprise, I had six. That was a beautiful, beautiful experience,” Thomas recounted. “But I think more than anything, it was something that really gave cause to everybody believing in me in the ways that they did. Because in the beginning of my artist career, it was kind of tough in the industry.”
He added, “People didn’t necessarily believe I could reach these kinds of heights and goals on the outside looking in.”
Thomas’s nominations included Best R&B Album (which he won) and Album of the Year for his 2024 sophomore release Mutt, Best R&B Performance for a live rendition of the album’s title track, Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Vibes Don’t Lie,” and Best R&B Song for “Yes It Is.” Additionally, he was nominated for Best New Artist.
The Grammys are broadcasting live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on CBS, with live and on-demand streaming available on Paramount+.
