She is quickly developing a reputation as a high-maintenance diva, but Ariana Grande started out in showbiz as a fresh-faced kid who looked like butter would not melt in her mouth.

Now she is fast becoming known as the girl with the big ponytail, the big voice and an even bigger diva attitude to match.

While now she is a fixture on the charts and on the front pages of magazines for her antics, rewind just six years and the 21-year-old was hardly even recognisable.

Transformation: In 2008, Ariana Grande was just a young girl who wanted to sing and now, six years later, is one of the biggest pop stars in the world

After wowing people first on cruise ships then Broadway, the Florida-born shot to stardom as a barefaced sweetheart on hot Nickelodeon show Victorious in 2009.

Just 16, there was no sign of her signature voluminous ponytail, instead the teen sported dark glowing curls and dimples.

However, cast alongside Victoria Justice and a predominantly all brunette female cast, the young star got her first taste of the transformation her career required.

Reportedly the executive producer of the hit show, Dan Schneider, did not want all the girls to have the same hair colour, so Ariana was had to dye her’s red every second week.

Breakout role: After wowing people first on cruise ships then Broadway, the Florida-born shot to stardom as a barefaced sweetheart on hot Nickelodeon show Victorious in 2009

While now the world is accustomed to seeing the hitmaker in tight custom made ensembles, then she was happy to be snapped in just T-shirt and jeans.

And, if she had to get dressed up for the red carpet, it was more likely to be in an off-the-rack dress that was picked for its colours and fun shape, rather than its cutting edge style.

 

As her star grow amongst a largely tween audience, the Problem star began to step away from dressing in sports T-shirts and try a pretty but punk looks.

While a supporting cast member in Victorious, Ariana’s distinctive look meant that when the show was not renewed, she landed herself a spin off show, Sam & Cat opposite iCarly’s Jennette McCurdy.

First big change: Cast alongside Victoria Justice and a predominantly all brunette female cast, the young star (pictured 2010) got her first taste of the transformation her career required

The before: When the actress had to dress for a carpet back in her Nickelodeon days, it was more likely to be in an off-the-rack dress (seen here 2011) that was picked for its colours and fun shape, rather than its cutting edge style (pictured Saturday)

While the show debuted to good ratings when it aired last year and Nickelodeon quickly doubled its episodes from 20 to 40, the show was dropped amid discord behind the scenes and after Jennette became subject of a 𝑠e𝑥ting scandal.

While the singer called it her dream come true to have worked with Nickelodeon, the cancellation did not keep her down with her singing career now exploding.

When the now thinner ombre haired Ariana stepped out on stage in her black mini dress at the iHeart Radio Music Awards at the start of the year, the transformation from cherub faced girl next door to mini pop star was complete.

The revealing Sixities inspired dress and her gogo boots shocked many who still saw, the 21-year-old as a teen.

Making people take notice: While a supporting cast member in Victorious, Ariana’s (seen here July 2011) distinctive look meant that when the show was not renewed, she landed herself a spin off show, Sam & Cat opposite iCarly’s Jennette McCurdy

 

Shocking may be a few more, was that her stylist Brigitte Pilla does not just costume make the star’s costumes, she also buys them from 𝑠e𝑥 stores in the S&M section.

The small costumes and big hair also lead many people to notice the star’s dramatic weight loss.

So intense were the accusations, she was suffering from an eating disorder that the young star took to social media.

She wrote: ‘Yes, I lost a bit of weight last year. It’s because I stopped eating junk food and started making healthy choices. I was happy with the way I was before and I’m still happy now! Just healthier!’

As rumours about Ariana’s diva antics – dictating what side she is photographed from and cussing out fans – grow, her signature ponytail surfaced as yet another example of her poor behaviour.

The diva has arrived: When the now thinner ombre haired Ariana stepped out on stage in her black mini dress at the iHeart Radio Music Awards at the start of the year, the transformation from cherub faced girl next door to mini pop star was complete

Page Six reported on Monday that her life coach quit due to her bad and vain behaviour.

The column reports the life coach was in charge of keeping her centred and healthy but walked off the job months ago because he just could not handle her attitude.

The insider told Page Six: ‘He just couldn’t take it anymore. Everything people are saying about her is true.

‘She was so obsessed with her hair that she had it dyed every three days, and the big ponytail is fake.

‘She acts like a child and constantly needs people to coddle her.’

Staff upset: Reportedly her life coach, who was in charge of keeping her centred and healthy, walked off the job months ago because he just could not handle her attitude