Ariana Grande closes out Coachella with sultry performance featuring surprise guests NSYNC, Nicki Minaj and Diddy

Ariana Grande closed out the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music Festival, and she did so with the help of some of music’s biggest names, including NSYNC, Nicki Minaj, Diddy and more.
There had been reports that she was performing with N’Sync before the festival, which were ultimately confirmed by N’Sync’s Twitter on Sunday night.
Minaj performed Tearin Up My Heart with the 90s boy band, and during the performance of her hit single Side to SIde, Nicki Minaj took the stage.
Centre stage: Ariana Grande closed out the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music Festival, and she did so with the help of some of music's biggest names, including NSYNC, Nicki Minaj, Diddy and more
Centre stage: Ariana Grande closed out the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music Festival, and she did so with the help of some of music's biggest names, including NSYNC, Nicki Minaj, Diddy and more
Centre stage: Ariana Grande closed out the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music Festival, and she did so with the help of some of music’s biggest names, including NSYNC, Nicki Minaj, Diddy and more
Side by side: Fans went wild as New York based rapper Nicki joined Ariana onstage at the annual event
Side by side: Fans went wild as New York based rapper Nicki joined Ariana onstage at the annual event
Grande was wearing a unique maroon ensemble with a crop top featuring billowing sleeves and a skirt with her traditional thigh-high boots.

She had her hair pulled back in her usual long ponytail style as she performed with NSYNC on the Coachella main stage.
Grande also welcomed Nicki Minaj on stage, who joined the 25 year old singer in a rendition of their 2014 hit Bang Bang.
In good company: The star was joined by an array of backing dancers during her closing performance
In good company: The star was joined by an array of backing dancers during her closing performance
Unstoppable: Ariana commanded attention as she worked her way through an array of hits on Sunday evening
Under the moonlight: The set included numerous stunning backdrops, including a projection of the night sky
Under the moonlight: The set included numerous stunning backdrops, including a projection of the night sky
She later welcomed Diddy on stage, along with Mase for a rendition of Notorious B.I.G.’s hit Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems.
Her performance also featured a number of unique lighting filters that were changed frequently throughout her set, including one that resembled an eclipse.
The lighting experiments often lead to a nearly pitch-black final performance of the first weekend of Coachella.
Racy: Ariana sprawled across the stage during another highlight from her closing set on Sunday
Racy: Ariana sprawled across the stage during another highlight from her closing set on Sunday
Busy night: A well as numerous songs and changing set designs, the show also included plenty of outfit changes
Hard to miss: One outfit featured a sparking, sequin embellished co-ord and a pair of highly distinctive thigh-high boots
Hard to miss: One outfit featured a sparking, sequin embellished co-ord and a pair of highly distinctive thigh-high boots
Trademark: She had her hair pulled back in her usual long ponytail style as she performed at the annual event
Trademark: She had her hair pulled back in her usual long ponytail style as she performed at the annual event
Hard at work: The singer's performance follows the release of new single Thank U, Next and non-album single Monopoly
Hard at work: The singer’s performance follows the release of new single Thank U, Next and non-album single Monopoly
Ariana added another event to her already jam-packed schedule as she put on a merchandise pop up shop ahead of taking the stage.
The singer’s manager, Scooter Braun, shared photos of the event, which he dubbed ‘Arichella,’ to his Instagram.
The entrance to the pop-up shop was made up of seven diamond engagement rings with pink bands.
Here we go: Intimate choreography was a recurring theme during the singer's latest live performance
Here we go: Intimate choreography was a recurring theme during the singer’s latest live performance
Tasteful: Her performance also featured a number of unique lighting filters that were changed frequently throughout her set
Tasteful: Her performance also featured a number of unique lighting filters that were changed frequently throughout her set
Group effort: Ariana and her dancers wowed the audience during another racy performance at Coachella
Group effort: Ariana and her dancers wowed the audience during another racy performance at Coachella
They created a partial tunnel that let its way to a white tent with ‘Ariana’ written in all-caps across the middle.
‘@arianagrande Coachella merch pop up!!!,’ wrote the manager across a photo of the rings, and captioned it ‘#arichella.’
It has been a banner 12 months for Dangerous Woman singer, who topped the Billboard 200 album chart twice in under six months.
Hitting the high notes: The singer wasn't short of energy as she worked her way through a lively set
Hitting the high notes: The singer wasn’t short of energy as she worked her way through a lively set
Behold the sun: The stage was illuminated as the complex stage designs changed from night to day
Behold the sun: The stage was illuminated as the complex stage designs changed from night to day
A vision in red: Ariana and her dancers added a touch of vibrancy to proceedings with their colourful outfit changes
A vision in red: Ariana and her dancers added a touch of vibrancy to proceedings with their colourful outfit changes
All that glitters: The singer's sparkly boots caught the eye as she strode across the stage
All that glitters: The singer's sparkly boots caught the eye as she strode across the stage
All that glitters: The singer’s sparkly boots caught the eye as she strode across the stage
It's behind you: The singer gyrated onstage while performing for fans at the star-studded event on Sunday evening
It’s behind you: The singer gyrated onstage while performing for fans at the star-studded event on Sunday evening
Her record Sweetener went number one back in August 2018 and in February her newest LP, Thank U, Next, also debuted in the top slot.
She also topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in her career, and did so twice in a row with her album’s title track and its follow up 7 Rings.
As a reward, Ariana is set to close out the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday night.
Big get: The 25-year-old artist also welcomed NSYNC onto the stage
Big get: The 25-year-old artist also welcomed NSYNC onto the stage
Minus one: There had been reports that she was performing with NSYNC before the festival, which were ultimately confirmed by N'Sync's Twitter on Sunday night
Minus one: There had been reports that she was performing with NSYNC before the festival, which were ultimately confirmed by N’Sync’s Twitter on Sunday night
Altogether now: The crowd was mesmerized as they performed classic Tearin' Up My Heart
Altogether now: The crowd was mesmerized as they performed classic Tearin’ Up My Heart
Flirty: Ariana sang directly to JC Chasez several times
Flirty: Ariana sang directly to JC Chasez several times
The Monopoly singer will return to the Empire Polo Club in seven days to headline the festival’s second weekend.
Ariana is set to hit the Coachella Stage at 1030 p.m. following a performance from Khalid.
On Friday night, Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover, was in the headliner position, while Tame Impala played in the position on Saturday night.
Good times: Ariana and four of the five members of the boyband definitely seemed to have a good time together
Good times: Ariana and four of the five members of the boyband definitely seemed to have a good time together
Coachella ensemble: Grande was wearing a unique maroon ensemble with a crop top featuring billowing sleeves and a skirt with her traditional thigh-high boots
Coachella ensemble: Grande was wearing a unique maroon ensemble with a crop top featuring billowing sleeves and a skirt with her traditional thigh-high boots
Nicki: Grande also welcomed Nicki Minaj on stage, who joined the 25 year old singer in a rendition of their 2014 hit Bang Bang
Nicki: Grande also welcomed Nicki Minaj on stage, who joined the 25 year old singer in a rendition of their 2014 hit Bang Bang
Bad Boys for life: Ariana was also joined by Mase (left) and Diddy as they performed classic Notorious B.I.G. song Mo' Money, Mo' Problems
Bad Boys for life: Ariana was also joined by Mase (left) and Diddy as they performed classic Notorious B.I.G. song Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems
Shimmering: Though the performance was in relatively low-light, Ariana shined in a two-piece number
Shimmering: Though the performance was in relatively low-light, Ariana shined in a two-piece number
Shimmering: Though the performance was in relatively low-light, Ariana shined in a two-piece number
She'll make you believe: Ariana put on quite the dazzling performance of 26 songs
She’ll make you believe: Ariana put on quite the dazzling performance of 26 songs
Eclipse: Her performance also featured a number of unique lighting filters that were changed frequently throughout her set, including one that resembled an eclipse
Eclipse: Her performance also featured a number of unique lighting filters that were changed frequently throughout her set, including one that resembled an eclipse
Performance: She later welcomed Diddy on stage, along with Mase for a rendition of Notorious B.I.G.'s hit Mo' Money Mo' Problems
Performance: She later welcomed Diddy on stage, along with Mase for a rendition of Notorious B.I.G.’s hit Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems
Saving the best for last: She closed out the show with smash hit Thank U, Next
Saving the best for last: She closed out the show with smash hit Thank U, Next
Thank U, Next: She later shared this selfie while in one of her  Coachella outfits
Thank U, Next: She later shared this selfie while in one of her  Coachella outfits
Pop-up: Ariana added another event to her already jam-packed schedule as she put on a merchandise pop up shop ahead of taking the stage
Pop-up: Ariana added another event to her already jam-packed schedule as she put on a merchandise pop up shop ahead of taking the stage
Put a ring on it: The 25-year-old singer's manager, Scooter Braun, shared photos of the event, which he dubbed 'Arichella' to his Instagram
Put a ring on it: The 25-year-old singer’s manager, Scooter Braun, shared photos of the event, which he dubbed ‘Arichella’ to his Instagram
You want it she got it: The seven rings display glowed in the night
You want it she got it: The seven rings display glowed in the night


Crowd pleaser: Festival-goers at Coachella Sunday night got a surprise performance from Katy Perry. The singer, 34, took the stage during the set by Zedd to perform their single 365
Crowd pleaser: Festival-goers at Coachella Sunday night got a surprise performance from Katy Perry. The singer, 34, took the stage during the set by Zedd to perform their single 365
Eye-catching: Perry looked sensational in a red jumpsuit paired with a rhinestone sheer overlay that that showcased her cleavage along with a flash of midriff
Eye-catching: Perry looked sensational in a red jumpsuit paired with a rhinestone sheer overlay that that showcased her cleavage along with a flash of midriff
Dazzling: Her dyed blonde short hair was slicked back and she accessorized with enormous round pendant earrings
Dazzling: Her dyed blonde short hair was slicked back and she accessorized with enormous round pendant earrings
Hung out with the crowd: Fans of the Roar hitmaker had suspected she might be performing after she was photographed earlier in the weekend at the festival with fiance Orlando Bloom
Hung out with the crowd: Fans of the Roar hitmaker had suspected she might be performing after she was photographed earlier in the weekend at the festival with fiance Orlando Bloom
Ariana is currently in the midst of her Sweetener World Tour, which kicked off March 18 in Albany, New York.
After playing shows almost every other night, the Bang Bang singer took off a full week to prepare for her Coachella set.
Following next Sunday’s appearance, she will hit the road again, starting with an April 25th date in Edmonton.
The concert series will take Ariana throughout the United States and Canada before wrapping up the American leg on July 13 in Salt Lake City.
She will then headed to Europe for a string of dates, beginning August 17 in London, England.
Shining star: Lizzo had one of the most talked about performances of the night
Shining star: Lizzo had one of the most talked about performances of the night
Moving and grooving: The rapper certainly seemed to be having a blast
Moving and grooving: The rapper certainly seemed to be having a blast
Moving and grooving: The rapper certainly seemed to be having a blast
Flaunting it: She bent over in her shimmering silver bodysuit to show off her behind
Flaunting it: She bent over in her shimmering silver bodysuit to show off her behind
Racy: She twerked on one of her background dancers
Racy: She twerked on one of her background dancers
Ariana  was not the only big pop star who performed at the event as Katy Perry surprised thousands of fans at the event.
The singer, 34, took the stage during the set by Zedd to perform their single 365.
Perry looked sensational in a red jumpsuit paired with a rhinestone sheer overlay.
Her outfit featured a bustier-style top that showcased her cleavage along with a flash of midriff.
Rising star: Khalid was one of the most highly anticipated performers of the weekend
Rising star: Khalid was one of the most highly anticipated performers of the weekend
Rising star: Khalid was one of the most highly anticipated performers of the weekend
Keeping it cool: He wore a monochrome short-sleeved button down and shorts combination featuring a palm tree silhouette pattern
Keeping it cool: He wore a monochrome short-sleeved button down and shorts combination featuring a palm tree silhouette pattern
The rest of the jumpsuit hugged her waist and included cropped skinny pants.
Her dyed blonde short hair was slicked back and she accessorized with enormous round pendant earrings.
It’s not the first time Perry and Zedd have performed 365 live together.
They took the stage at JamFest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a week ago during the NCAA March Madness Music Series at The Armory.
Khalid and Lizzo also had two of the most talked about performances on the last day of the first weekend of the highly-popular festival.
Coachella will return for weekend two on Friday, April 19
Returning soon: Coachella will return for weekend two on Friday, April 19
Returning soon: Coachella will return for weekend two on Friday, April 19

Scroll to Top