The singer's latest single 'The Way', with its throwback urban-pop sound, drew comments about its similarities to the iconic diva's '90s hits when it premiered last month.
Mariah Carey in New York.
"She's an inspiration - she's the greatest female vocalist, so it was definitely a compliment," Grande said. "Mariah and Whitney Houston were my goddesses growing up."
The star also admitted that she wasn't expecting the track to hit number one on the iTunes store in the US and has found the whole experience crazy.
"We thought it would get to the Top 15 and that that would be a great debut and we'd celebrate," Grande said.
"I didn't expect any of this - and I didn't expect it to debut at 10 on the Billboard chart either. It was craziness to me."
Araina Grande's new single is out now and is the first cut to be lifted from her forthcoming album Daydreamin'.
Watch the music video for Ariana Grande's 'The Way' below:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a473970/mariah-carey-comparisons-a-compliment-says-ariana-grande.html
