Who Is Ariana Grande's Brother Frankie — And Why Is He Being Branded 'Rude' After The VMAs?

A seemingly curt head-shake at the VMAs has left Frankie Grande labelled 'rude'—but the reality is far more nuanced.

Frankie Grande, half-brother of pop superstar Ariana Grande, made headlines during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards for a brief yet widely noted expression captured on the backstage POV camera.

Amid the spotlight on Ariana's big night, his reaction to Tate McRae's performance sparked unexpected debate among fans. A simple gesture soon ballooned into a trending talking point, until later footage and context revealed a very different picture.

The Backstage Moment That Broke the Internet

During Tate McRae's sultry performances of Revolving Door and Sports Car, Frankie was seen calmly shaking his head with an inscrutable expression. The clip circulated rapidly, prompting social media users to react instantly.

One X user questioned, 'Who's this shaking his head at Tate performing?! Rude.' Another speculated, 'frankie grande reaction to tate mcrae on vmas tonight is weird idk' while someone else jokingly said, 'frankie grande was not feeling tate mcrae's performance omg.'

Not long after the reaction clip went viral, Frankie took to the POV camera to set the record straight: 'I love Tate McRae. I'm obsessed with her. She's beautiful and her makeup artist killed it today.'

Additional footage further undermined the initial narrative. In an alternate backstage shot, Frankie is seen enthusiastically greeting Tate with a handshake and genuine warmth. Other clips catch him dancing along with the performance, supporting the theory that the viral head-shake was simply a fleeting expression, not disdain.

Who is Frankie Grande?

Frankie Grande is no stranger to the camera—or the stage. Born in New York City in 1983, he is an accomplished performer known for roles on Broadway (Mamma Mia!, Rock of Ages), television (Henry Danger, Danger Force), and as a reality star on Big Brother and Big Brother Reindeer Games.

He recently expanded his creative horizons with the release of his debut studio album, Hotel Rock Bottom, launched on 27 June 2025. The album, a dance-pop collection co-written by Frankie, explores themes of recovery and personal transformation. Its deluxe edition features a remix collaboration with Ariana Grande, highlighting the enduring bond between the siblings.

A Night of Accolades—And Awkward Microphones

While Frankie navigated media scrutiny, Ariana claimed victory on stage, securing Video of the Year and Best Pop for Brighter Days Ahead at the VMAs, held at New York's UBS Arena. The ceremony marked a triumphant return for the singer after years away from the event.

Yet fans were quick to note a production oversight: the microphone stood too high for Ariana's 5′3″ frame, prompting her to quip on stage, 'Does this get taller every time? Is this intentional?' The misstep stirred fresh debate about tone-deaf production decisions in award shows.

In the end, Frankie Grande's 'head-shake' moment proved far less scandalous than it first appeared—just one instant in a night filled with music, awards, and unforgettable headlines. What began as a viral misunderstanding unfolded into a reminder that context—and compassion—matter more than attention.