"When I first received a message from her, I suspected it was a catfish attempt. She invited me over, and I genuinely feared for my life, convinced it wasn't real."
Thankfully for her Glinda fans, Grande emerged unscathed.
"She was incredibly kind," Grande remarked about Heap. "She's truly brilliant in every aspect."
Heap, the 47-year-old artist known for songs like "Hide and Seek" and her involvement in the electronic duo Frou Frou, has also recounted her initial encounter with the now 31-year-old Grande. Heap's recollection aligns perfectly with the overall sentiment.
"I believe it was for her 21st birthday - her mother somehow emailed me and inquired, 'Could Ariana come over for dinner?'" Heap revealed in a 2018 Billboard interview. "So she arrived at my rural residence on the outskirts of London, and I had my mobile off, so I missed her calls, and they were utterly lost navigating the unfamiliar backstreets. I think Ariana genuinely believed it was an elaborate scheme to harm her."
Heap was already acquainted with the artist, having seen fan-sent clips showcasing Grande's "exceptional" voice.
"Knowing she was coming, I prepared lentils for her, considering her vegan diet. Attempted to make something somewhat palatable," Heap admitted. "During that visit, she also experimented with my mi.mu gloves, musical performance composition gloves I've been developing for eight years. She was among the first to wear them on stage besides me and even took them on a stadium tour. Quite impressive, in my opinion. I recall discussing her music with her."
The meeting proved successful, leading to multiple collaborations. Heap performed at Grande's One Love Manchester benefit concert, and Grande's 2018 track "Goodnight n Go" is a rendition of Heap's 2006 song "Goodnight and Go."
