If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok over the last few years, you’ve probably seen Paige Niemann, even if you didn’t know her name.
Who is Paige Niemann?
Paige first went viral in 2019 after posting videos where she looked almost identical to Ariana Grande. Between the high ponytails and oversized hoodies, people genuinely had to do a double take. Some loved the transformations, while others thought they were too convincing…
Either way, the videos exploded, turning Paige into one of the internet’s most notorious celebrity lookalikes.
Ariana Grande’s Initial Reaction
In late 2019, Ariana responded to a fan on X, saying she was sure Paige was “the sweetest sweetheart.” At the same time, she admitted the videos felt “bizarre,” especially because they blended her real life with Cat Valentine, a character she’d played years earlier on Victorious.
At first, the issue wasn’t that Paige reminded people of her, but that people were treating her and Cat like they were the same person.
Fans Thinking of Paige After Ariana’s Lie Detector Interview
The conversation came back in 2024 after Ariana appeared alongside Cynthia Erivo for Vanity Fair’s lie detector test.
During the interview, Cynthia asked if Ariana had ever confronted someone who was impersonating her.
“No,” Ariana replied. “But I want to.”
Even though she didn’t mention Paige by name, fans immediately connected the moment to the influencer. Clips of the interview quickly made their way across TikTok and X, with many bringing up their history all over again.
Ariana Grande Reaching Out Privately
Paige recently revealed that Ariana had also sent her a private message back in 2019.
In her recent documentary, Paige shared the full DM, which showed a much softer tone than many fans expected.
“i am flattered and i am sure you’re very sweet. but i just wanted you to know, i looked back a little ways on your page and i think someone should tell you if they haven’t today that you’re very beautiful as YOURSELF. without all the make up and trying to make your face look more similar to someone else’s and whatnot. i had to say it because it is the truth. always do what makes you happy of course but if i didn’t say that to you, i’d regret it. you’re beautiful as you are. take care”
Rather than asking Paige to stop, Ariana encouraged her to embrace her own look, telling her she was beautiful without trying to look like anyone else.
Paige Mistaken for Ariana on the Red Carpet (Honorable Mention)
In early 2025, Paige attended a Hollywood movie premiere wearing a look inspired by Ariana’s Wicked era. The styling was so close that reporters, photographers and fans mistook her for the singer as she arrived on the red carpet.
The moment quickly went viral, with people once again debating whether celebrity lookalikes are simply paying tribute or crossing a line.