Imogen Heap Says Ariana Grande ‘Kept Alive’ Her Album ‘Speak for Yourself’ After Praising It

Ariana Grande marked the 20th anniversary of Imogen Heap’s Speak for Yourself by publicly celebrating the album’s enduring influence. In an Instagram Story shared Friday, Oct. 17, Grande described the record as a profoundly important and life-changing work.

She singled out several songs as favorites — “Headlock,” “Loose Ends” and especially “Hide and Seek” — saying those tracks “changed (literally) everything forever,” and posting screenshots of the selections for her followers.

Heap noticed the tribute and reposted one of Grande’s stories to her own Instagram Story, thanking Grande and noting that the album’s legacy has also been kept alive by artists like her. Heap added warm words of appreciation for Grande’s sustained enthusiasm.

In response to Heap’s repost, Grande shared an Instagram sticker of a cat swimming in a pool of tears and wrote that she’s “a fellow geek at heart,” underscoring the mutual admiration between the two artists.

Released in 2005, Speak for Yourself is widely regarded as one of Heap’s signature achievements; it originally debuted at No. 145 on the Billboard 200.

Grande’s affinity for Heap stretches back years. On her 2015 Honeymoon Tour she used Mi.Mu gloves — the expressive gestural controllers Heap helped develop — and on 2018’s Sweetener Grande interpolated “Hide and Seek” in the song “Goodnight n Go.”

Heap has returned the compliment in interviews, saying she’s deeply moved by Grande’s support and describing the singer as kind, thoughtful and generous. Heap recalled that when she reached out about her Auracles project, Grande offered practical help and encouragement — a gesture that made Heap feel validated and supported by a high-profile ally.

“I’m so grateful she connected with my work and has been so generous about what it means to her,” Heap said of Grande.

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