Check out our exclusive Just Jared Jr. interview with actress Ariana Grande!

The 19-year-old beauty, best known for her role as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon’s hit show Victorious, chatted with us about her love for Katy Perry, her upcoming TV kiss and how getting into character actually helped her through a devastating breakup. Check it:

JJJ: We love your concert style! Can you tell us about your dress?
AG: Thanks, this was actually made for me by a lady named Barcelona. I found her through a stylist. I was telling her that I don’t really find [many] dresses that I love, because I like older looking things, and she was like, “I can make you something!” So she made me this in a bunch of colors!

JJJ: That’s great! You’ve been singing for a while now. What’s the first song you remember singing as a child?
AG: The first song I ever sang out loud was an NSYNC song. I remember I was in the car with my mommy and [when she heard me sing] she was like, “Is that you? Can you do that again?”

JJJ: Does your single “Put Your Hearts Up” represent the rest of your upcoming album?
AG: No, it’s completely different. That was more of a commercial sounding pop record. My album is throwback Motown. It’s like modern Motown inspired pop and soul – It’s fun!

Click inside for 10+ pics of Ariana performing live at the Kleenex brand Shield. Sneeze. Swish. event and more of her interview with JJJ…

JJJ: Do you have a favorite track off it?
AG: So far, of the titles that everyone knows, I think “Do You Love Me?” is my favorite.

JJJ: Is it true that you have the same voice coach as Katy Perry?
AG: Yes, Eric Vetro. He’s unbelievable! I met Katy actually through him. She’s such a sweet woman. I love her – she’s one of my inspirations, I look up to her. Just meeting her and seeing how cool she was, and nice, and sweet, and kind, and normal made me like, “Thank God for some normalcy in this business.” Because I’ve seen the opposite. I’ve seen some crazy, horrible people so seeing her was so refreshing.

JJJ: Do you remember what you guys chatted about when you first met?
AG: She told me I looked really cute and she liked my hair! She said I looked like the Little Mermaid and was like, “Best of luck to you!”

JJJ: That’s so sweet! Speaking of your red-velvet locks, which we also love, what’s the story behind them?
AG: Thanks! About an hour before I got cast on the show [Victorious] they called and asked if it’d be okay for them to do anything they wanted with my hair, and I eagerly said yes. I’m happy with their decision.

JJJ: Wow, that’s so spontaneous! Before landing your role on Nickelodeon, you were in the Broadway play 13. What would be your dream role if you ever returned to The Great White Way?
AG: I would love to go back and play Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors or Penny in Hairspray. I love the music in both [shows] and both roles are very girly. Penny is just quirky and fun and silly. Then Audrey is shy and would be a different role to play because she’s had a rough past and was abused. She’s also a New Yorker (says in a strong NY accent).

JJJ: Which Victorious character do you think you’d be BFFs with in real-life?
AG: Probably Cat. I love her and I adore her. Playing her makes me feel happier.

JJJ: So her positive vibes rub off on you?
AG: Yeah, like we were filming one season and I went through this horrible, horrendous breakup. My heart was broken and shattered. I was crying through hair and makeup, like I couldn’t even pull myself together. Then when I started playing Cat I forgot all about it. I was with Robbie (Matt Bennett), Jade (Elizabeth Gillies) and Andre (Leon Thomas) and nothing makes Cat sad really. She’s sort of high on life I guess and playing someone like that just makes me so happy.

JJJ: In future episodes, will fans get to see Cat and Robbie’s relationship heat up?
AG: Yeah it will…he kisses me! Cat doesn’t really know how to handle it, she like, “I don’t know!” I think deep down whether they decide to go anywhere with it or not in the long run they’re in love. I think Cat loves Robbie a lot and I think Robbie loves Cat.

JJJ: Speaking of relationships, what’s the best boy advice you’ve gotten?
AG: To only be with somebody if they make you feel like the best version of yourself. You can’t sacrifice yourself for anybody, you know?

JJJ: That’s great advice! Who’s your musical crush right now?
AG: Bruno Mars!

JJJ: You recently covered Justin Bieber’s song “Die in Your Arms” and it’s already gotten over 1 million views! Is that your favorite song of his?
AG: Yeah, I love that one and “As Long As you Love Me” and “Love Me Like you Do”!

JJJ: We heard you’re a big fan of The Wizard of Oz. Are you excited for the upcoming film Oz starring Mila Kunis and James Franco?
AG: Yeah, that’s crazy! Of course I’m excited, it’s one of my favorite stories – I love it!

Interviewed by: Morgan McMurrin (@MorganMcMurrin)