- - Leon Thomas Says Some of His ‘Favorite Writing Experiences’ Were with “Victorious” Costar Ariana Grande After 2026 Grammy Win (Exclusive)

Rachel RaposasFebruary 2, 2026 at 1:45 AM

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Leon Thomas tells PEOPLE one of his favorite experiences writing with another artist was with his Victorious co-star Ariana Grande

Thomas and Grande famously co-starred on the beloved Disney show as Andre Harris and Cat Valentine, respectively

Thomas received six Grammy nominations this year and won Best R&B Album

The friendships forged on Victorious last a lifetime — just ask Leon Thomas!

After accepting his award for Best R&B Album at the 2026 Grammys, Thomas spoke with PEOPLE about his own music and his experience writing music for others. One of his "favorite writing experiences," he says, was with none other than his Victorious co-star (and fellow Grammy winner!) Ariana Grande.

"She is such a beautiful voice, and to see how she can flip a song around and really make it her own was beautiful," says Thomas, 32.

"She's a really great co-writer as well," Thomas adds, noting that he and Grande are "really good friends," which contributes to the success of their music.

Thomas and Grande famously co-starred on the beloved Disney show as Andre Harris and Cat Valentine, respectively. Thomas tells PEOPLE that Victorious — which follows a group of high school kids at a special performing arts institution — allowed them both to "test out what it felt like to be an artist."

"Here I am, following in her footsteps," Thomas adds of their shared path from Victorious to Grammy winner.

Alex Warren and Leon Thomas at the 2026 Grammys.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Grande also won a 2026 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Duo with Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo for their duet "Defying Gravity."

Check out all of PEOPLE's full Grammys coverage here.

Thomas received six Grammy nominations this year, which he reflected on in a conversation with PEOPLE in December 2025.

“Nominations started rolling in. And to my surprise, I had six. That was a beautiful, beautiful experience,” Thomas told PEOPLE. “But I think more than anything, it was something that really gave cause to everybody believing in me in the ways that they did. Because in the beginning of my artist career, it was kind of tough in the industry.”

“People didn't necessarily believe I could reach these kinds of heights and goals on the outside looking in," he added.

Thomas's nominations included Best R&B Album (which he won) and Album of the Year for his 2024 sophomore LP Mutt; Best R&B Performance for a live performance of the album’s title track (which also marked his breakout single); Best Traditional R&B Performance with “Vibes Don’t Lie”; Best R&B Song (“Yes It Is”); and Best New Artist.

The Grammys are broadcasting live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on CBS or stream them live and on-demand on Paramount+.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”