How Ariana Grande Became Gen Z’s New Christmas Queen
Nine years ago, Ariana Grande released her holiday EP Christmas & Chill, which has since become a beloved staple for listeners during the festive season.
Christmas & Chill was released on December 18, 2015, selling 35,000 copies in its first week. The EP debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart. While these numbers weren’t her strongest, the EP saw a resurgence in popularity during her thank u, next era, when she reached the height of her fame.
During her “Sweetener World Tour” holiday, Grande performed songs from Christmas & Chill. She even posted at the time, playfully encouraging fans to sing along, noting that most of the crowd likely wouldn’t recognize the record.
“pls have so much fun and sing your hearts out to christmas n chill bc no one on earth bought it or has heard it or will know what’s happening,” the star wrote in 2015.
Despite her playfully poking fun at the record, Christmas & Chill eventually climbed the iTunes charts, breaking into the top 40 and peaking in the top 5—surpassing her 2019 mega-hit album.
However, beneath the playful jokes was a genuinely solid Christmas record that perfectly captured the season’s spirit while standing the test of time. She reimagined holiday music with a modern twist, blending Christmas themes with the trap and R&B sounds that dominated the airwaves in 2015. This innovative approach turned Christmas & Chill into a cult classic among fans.
The pop star transformed traditional Christmas themes—like love and the anticipation of waiting by the tree—into something more sensual and playful. This fresh, tongue-in-cheek approach resonated with her generally younger audience, drawing their attention to holiday music in a way that stood out from the classic hits already beloved by the masses.
Fans shared praise for the album in light of its anniversary.
i’m not really a christmas music listener but i ALWAYS listen to christmas & chill album by ariana grande
— = (@bbybunlino) December 18, 2024
Ariana Grande’s Christmas & Chill album can never be topped
— lauren (@laurennnp) December 11, 2024
You can revisit Christmas & Chill here.
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