Kristin Chenoweth Reveals What It Was Really Like Working with Ariana Grande

Ponytails up for the newest Ariana Grande duet (and the story behind it).

Kristin Chenoweth, whose new album, For the Girls (available for purchase on Amazon and to stream via Spotify and Apple Music) debuted Sept. 27. The Broadway singer sat down with PureWow for an exclusive chat about the compilation mix, and what it was really like working with some of music's biggest names.

The Wicked star called on Ariana Grande, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Hudson and Reba McEntire to lend their powerful vocals to her seventh studio album, which serves as a musical love letter to the biggest names in the industry and the influence they had on her career. Grande is featured on the reprisal of Lesley Gore’s 1963 classic, “You Don’t Own Me," and Chenoweth said it was "amazing" working with her "little baby," as she called her.

"I've watched her grow up," the Pushing Daisies alum said, referencing her and Grande's co-starring roles in 2016’s Hairspray Live! on NBC.

"First of all, she's on tour as well, and she's everywhere. She has no time," Chenoweth said of trying to get a hold of the "Thank U, Next" singer. "She never stops."

When Chenoweth finally reached the Grammy winner, she told her she wanted her to be on the album. Chenoweth saw a lot of Lesley Gore and the "You Don't Own Me" mentality in Grande, she said.

"I thought, [that song] is the one for us," Chenoweth said. So the Tony winner recorded her part, and the 26-year-old singer recorded hers.

"'I sent it over, I really want you to tell me what you think,'" Chenoweth recalled Grande telling her. "And of course, she blows me out of the water," Chenoweth said. So the former "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" actress went back to the studio to re-record her part for the song..."and make myself better."

We guess when Ari really does want it, she's got it.