Ariana Grande: I'm happy to experiment with music

Singer Ariana Grande always keeps an open mind when it comes to collaborations, and makes sure she's kind when turning an offer down.

The 22-year-old pop star has teamed up with several big names in the music industry, including rapper Iggy Azalea on hit track Problem and ex-boyfriend Big Sean on songs such as Best Mistake. She's currently working on her next album Moonlight after releasing its debut single, Focus. She doesn't have any collaborations lined up yet, mainly because she's yet to find the time to invest in recording new material.

"Here's the thing - with Focus, it's sort of like an introduction record because the new album isn't done yet... It's almost there but knowing me I'll get back in the studio and I'll find undivided time where I'm not on tour and I'm not filming any TV shows and I'll just be in love with being in the studio," she explained to BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw. "For me I'm very excited about Focus and excited about it all, but I don't set (targets)... 'Oh, well I have to beat myself (from) last time,' because that's not why I make music.

"I try to keep an open mind when it comes to everything like (collaborations) - if they send me a song and I'm like, 'Damn,' then I have to be like, 'It's not my favourite, sorry, this is where my sound is going, I can't imagine myself being the right person for it, but you sound great.' I try to be somewhat nice but honest."

With her star status comes a lot of press attention and there have been countless reports about Ariana's rumoured diva behaviour, such as only allowing photographs to be taken from one side. The singer laughs these off and was especially amused when reading a recent article in a New York publication claiming she fired her mother Joan as her manager.

"My mom was never my manager," she laughed. "My mom is the CEO of three companies that design and manufacture (communication) equipment - this is the last thing she cares about! I go to her for business advice always because I've always been more of a creative and she's always helped me understand the business of it all, so she knows what she's talking about - she's a genius businesswoman."