Ariana Grande Accused of Plagiarism—Did She Copy Jhene Aiko’s Album Concept?
March 12, 2025 – Ariana Grande’s upcoming album release has sparked excitement among fans, but it has also ignited a heated debate over alleged plagiarism. Many are pointing out striking similarities between Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead and Jhene Aiko’s 2014 album Souled Out, particularly in their cover art concepts.
A Highly Anticipated Release Turns Controversial
Grande’s fans were thrilled when she announced the March 28 release of her album’s deluxe edition, sharing the news with an enthusiastic Instagram post. The project, an expansion of her seventh studio album Eternal Sunshine, promised fresh content and a deeper exploration of her artistry.
However, excitement quickly turned into controversy as fans and critics noticed uncanny similarities between the new album cover and Jhene Aiko’s Eternal Sunshine cover art from six years ago.
The Striking Similarities
The visual parallels between the two covers have fueled discussions across social media.
- Jhene Aiko’s Album Cover: Features a serene image of a woman floating towards a ray of sunshine, symbolizing tranquility, healing, and self-discovery.
- Ariana Grande’s Album Cover: Showcases a darker twist on a similar concept, leading many to question if it was directly inspired by Aiko’s work or if it’s an original interpretation.
Social Media Reactions: ‘Homage or Appropriation?’
The controversy has divided fans and critics, with some accusing Grande of blatant plagiarism and others defending her creative choices.
Fans Calling It Plagiarism: Some believe the resemblance is too close to be a coincidence.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love both of their music, but this is wildly similar.”
“This is clearly borrowed, if not outright copied. Why not credit Jhene?”
Fans Defending Grande: Others argue that both artists may have drawn inspiration from the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which explores themes of heartbreak and healing.
“Both visuals were inspired by the same movie, so Ariana has just as much right to use the concept.”
“Jhene may have done it first, but that doesn’t mean others can’t interpret the theme differently.”
Ariana’s Response—Will She Address the Backlash?
As of now, Ariana Grande has not responded to the plagiarism accusations. With the album’s release date approaching, fans are eager to see if she will acknowledge the controversy or let the music speak for itself.
What do you think? Is this an innocent artistic coincidence, a tribute, or a case of plagiarism? Let us know in the comments!
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Published by HOLR Magazine
Image Credit: Ariana Grande and Jhene Aiko