Ariana Grande Explains Why She’s a ‘Massive’ Fan of Jim Carrey & ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’

Ariana Grande is just hours away from releasing her long-awaited seventh record Eternal Sunshine, a concept album partially inspired by the sci-fi romantic drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. And in an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1 posted Thursday (March 7), the 30-year-old pop star opened up about her love for the film’s star, her childhood idol: Jim Carrey.

“I’m a massive Jim Carrey fan,” she told Lowe, noting she was “really young” when she watched the 2004 film for the first time. “I don’t know if you know this, but my first screen name was JimCarreyFan42. It’s always been a favorite of mine.”

More from Billboard

• ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’: How to Watch the Movie That Inspired Ariana Grande’s New Album Online

• BTS' V Teases 'FRI(END)S' Music Video, Shares Concept Photos

• Ariana Grande Asks Fans to Stop 'Sending Hateful Messages to People in My Life' Following Release of 'Eternal Sunshine'

The “Positions” singer has long been vocal about her love for the actor — she even has a quote from his movie The Truman Show tattooed on her shoulder — and she guest-starred as Piccola Grande, the Pickle Fairy of Hope, on Carrey’s Showtime series Kidding in 2020. When asked about meeting her idol, Grande said it was “thrilling” and that he’s “even better” than she imagined he would be.

“You know how sometimes you get nervous to meet your people, because you never know how they’re going to be and it’s very scary?” she asked. “He couldn’t be better. I love him so much more after meeting him.”

In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Carrey and Kate Winslet’s characters, Joel and Clementine, undergo brain surgery in order to lose all memories of their painful breakup. In gearing up for her album’s March 8 launch, Grande has been posting photos and videos dressed up in outfits and hairstyles inspired by the film’s leading lady and even shared a teaser for the next single — “We Can’t Be Friends” — that paid homage to its concept.

“I think the movie is so beloved because so many people can relate to knowing that something isn’t right but loving so much and wanting to stay,” the Grammy winner told Lowe. “I think it kind of fell into place that these songs had little tidbits of that theme. I just felt really inspired by it.”

Watch Grande’s Apple Music 1 interview above.

Best of Billboard

• Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits

• H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart

• Anne Wilson's 'I Still Believe in Christmas' Crowns Christian Airplay Chart