Why Celebrity Grandmas Are Having a Moment, from Ari's 'Nonna' to Sydney Sweeney's 2 Grans

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariana Grande and Marjorie ‘Nonna’ Grande.Photo:Kevin Mazur/AMA2016/WireImage

Kevin Mazur/AMA2016/WireImage

No matter how famous these stars get, they can always count on getting support from some special women in their lives: their grandmothers.FromFlorence Pugh’s red carpet moment with her “Granzo Pat” in Venice to Nonna Grande’s history-making feature onAriana Grande’s latest album, see how these famous faces are keeping their grandmas close to their heartsandinvolved in their busy lives.

No matter how famous these stars get, they can always count on getting support from some special women in their lives: their grandmothers.

FromFlorence Pugh’s red carpet moment with her “Granzo Pat” in Venice to Nonna Grande’s history-making feature onAriana Grande’s latest album, see how these famous faces are keeping their grandmas close to their heartsandinvolved in their busy lives.

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Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney at the L.A. premiere of ‘Immaculate’.Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Sydney Sweeneymay be the leading lady in the new horror filmImmaculate —which she also produced — but she also tapped two women near and dear to her to appear as extras in the film.

“I flew them to Italy, and they got to come visit me on set. I made them extras as nuns,” Sweeney told theTodayshow ofher grandmothers' special appearances in the film.

“They were just so excited,” she toldToday.

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Ariana Grande

As “ordinary things” comes to a close, listeners can hear Marjorie, 98, talking about her late husband, Frank Grande.

While discussing the song in an interview withZane Lowe for Apple Music 1, Ari said she was not sure how to finish the song until she came across a “voice note” of her grandmother speaking to a friend. The star admitted that she “always” records her grandma “because you never know what she’s going to say.”

Because of her appearance and credit on the song,Marjorie became the oldest artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100when it hit No. 55.

“ordinary things” was not the first time Ariana’s beloved grandma has been featured on a track; she can also be heard on theYours Trulytrack “Daydreamin’,” as well as “Bloodline” fromThank U, Next.

03of 07Florence PughFlorence Pugh and her grandmother in Venice.Kate Green/GettyWhen it was time forFlorence Pughto celebrateDon’t Worry Darlingat the2022 Venice Film Festival, she had one of her biggest fans right there with her.In a tribute to the special moment,Pugh explained on Instagramthat she had encouraged her “Granzo Pat” to renew her passport, which allowed her to join her in Venice for the premiere of the film. Pugh wrote that as she made her way down the carpet, she spotted her grandma taking photos on the sidelines and decided to give her a moment in the spotlight.“I hugged her and asked if she would like to stand with me for a picture, her eyes lit up whilst also saying ‘oh they don’t want to see me..’ I assured her they did,” she wrote.“Next thing I know she’s dancing for all the photographers calling her name. It was truly the most special moment I have ever had on a carpet,” Pugh added. “She has always been beauty and grace, but to see her so proud and so natural when hundreds of people were watching and cheering was truly remarkable. Granzo Pat is remarkable.”

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Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh and her grandmother in Venice.Kate Green/Getty

When it was time forFlorence Pughto celebrateDon’t Worry Darlingat the2022 Venice Film Festival, she had one of her biggest fans right there with her.

In a tribute to the special moment,Pugh explained on Instagramthat she had encouraged her “Granzo Pat” to renew her passport, which allowed her to join her in Venice for the premiere of the film. Pugh wrote that as she made her way down the carpet, she spotted her grandma taking photos on the sidelines and decided to give her a moment in the spotlight.

“I hugged her and asked if she would like to stand with me for a picture, her eyes lit up whilst also saying ‘oh they don’t want to see me..’ I assured her they did,” she wrote.

“Next thing I know she’s dancing for all the photographers calling her name. It was truly the most special moment I have ever had on a carpet,” Pugh added. “She has always been beauty and grace, but to see her so proud and so natural when hundreds of people were watching and cheering was truly remarkable. Granzo Pat is remarkable.”

04of 07The Kardashian-JennersThe Kardashians with their grandmother, MJ Shannon.Kris Jenner InstagramFor the famous Kardashian-Jenner family,Mary Jo “MJ” Shannonis their “rock.” In celebration of her mom’s 87th birthday,Kris Jennertook to Instagram to pay tribute to the family’s matriarch, who is grandma toKourtney,Kim,KhloéandRobKardashian as well asKylieandKendall Jenner.“You have always been my greatest inspiration, the one I can come to for anything,” she wrote in the heartfelt post. “And if it weren’t for your love, support and guidance, I wouldn’t be the woman or the mother I am today.““Thank you for being our rock. You are the greatest mother, grandmother, friend and mentor,” she continued. “I thank God every day for choosing you to be my mom. Thank you for all you do for me and for our family. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Xo.“In 2023, when it was timeto celebrate the matriarch’s 89th birthday, Kim called her grandma “the foundation of our family and a true pillar of strength.”

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The Kardashian-Jenners

The Kardashians with their grandmother, MJ Shannon.Kris Jenner Instagram

Kris Jenner Instagram

For the famous Kardashian-Jenner family,Mary Jo “MJ” Shannonis their “rock.” In celebration of her mom’s 87th birthday,Kris Jennertook to Instagram to pay tribute to the family’s matriarch, who is grandma toKourtney,Kim,KhloéandRobKardashian as well asKylieandKendall Jenner.

“You have always been my greatest inspiration, the one I can come to for anything,” she wrote in the heartfelt post. “And if it weren’t for your love, support and guidance, I wouldn’t be the woman or the mother I am today.”

“Thank you for being our rock. You are the greatest mother, grandmother, friend and mentor,” she continued. “I thank God every day for choosing you to be my mom. Thank you for all you do for me and for our family. I love you more than you’ll ever know. Xo.”

In 2023, when it was timeto celebrate the matriarch’s 89th birthday, Kim called her grandma “the foundation of our family and a true pillar of strength.”

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Joey King

Joey King, Joey King’s mom, grandma and aunt meet Brad Pitt.Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty;

Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty;

“My Mom, Grandma and Aunt with BP,” Joey wrote on her Instagram Story. “Best pic of the night.”

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Normani

Normani with her grandma.Normani/TikTok

The video came after the singer toldRolling Stonethat she came from a dancing family with her mom Andrea Hamilton being a trained dancer and Babs — her grandma — being a former majorette.

07of 07Colton UnderwoodBeforeColton Underwoodwalked down the aisle and wedJordan C. Brownin May 2023, he looked to dating apps in hopes of finding the one.In a wholesome video shared to Instagram in 2021 not long after Underwoodcame out as gay, he and his grandma are seenswiping through potential matches on Tinder.“Nana helps me swipe on Tinder,” Underwood captioned the post.“My nana is picky, honest and blunt. But after we stopped filming she said ‘I’m not going to let you settle, you deserve the best and i want someone to make you very happy,’ " he wrote. “We all need a nana in our lives ♥️”

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Colton Underwood

BeforeColton Underwoodwalked down the aisle and wedJordan C. Brownin May 2023, he looked to dating apps in hopes of finding the one.

In a wholesome video shared to Instagram in 2021 not long after Underwoodcame out as gay, he and his grandma are seenswiping through potential matches on Tinder.

“Nana helps me swipe on Tinder,” Underwood captioned the post.

“My nana is picky, honest and blunt. But after we stopped filming she said ‘I’m not going to let you settle, you deserve the best and i want someone to make you very happy,’ " he wrote. “We all need a nana in our lives ♥️”

source: people.com