Ariana Grande Is White Hot as Billboard's Rising Star

Ariana Grande makes her way into the venue and skips the red carpet rushes ahead of the 2014 Billboard Woman of the Year event held at Cipriani Wall Street on Friday afternoon (December 12) in New York City.

The 21-year-old singer made an appearance on stage to accept her Rising Star Award. We hope to see her on the carpet tonight at Jingle Ball!

“I want to share this honor with two women who inspired me — not you, Frankie, I’m sorry,” Ariana said during her speech. “My mama and my nonna.

“I want to thank my mama for teaching me to work hard — and that behind every successful woman is herself,” Ariana added. “And I want to thank my nonna for taking me to my first audition and for teaching me to have compassion for the haters.”

Also pictured inside: Ariana‘s brother Frankie Grande and singer Betty Who, who performed a song during a tribute for the young star.