At 17 years-old, Ariana Grande has already accomplished more than some artists twice her age. A native of Boca Raton, Florida, the singer and actress has performed on Broadway and TV, and is in the process of writing and producing her first CD. In her current role as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious (TV), Ariana takes on the complexities of a ditzy-but-deep character, and makes it her own. A true believer in giving back, Ariana associates herself with a number of charities involving children. In this exclusive interview, she tells us about it, along with what advice she'd give her TV character, what her dream role would be (it might surprise you), and who's on her celebrity crush list.

Let's begin with a little bit about your character on Victorious, Cat Valentine. She's a character that has taken on a life of her own. Tell us what you like about portraying her.

She's very different, and the thing that I want to achieve is to get her to seem not stupid. I don't want her to be one of those stupid girls, and I try really hard to make it seem likes she lives in her head and she's not present in the conversation because the things going on in her head are far more interesting to her.

What advice would you give to Cat?

As funny as she is, I think she's got her head on straight. I think I would give her a little bit of fashion advice.

I read somewhere that you are a fan of Audrey Hepburn, and that she is one of your fashion icons.

Yes, I love Audrey Hepburn.

I'm impressed with the fact that you're 17 years old and are not only aware of who Audrey Hepburn is, but of her fashion influence as well.

Oh, you have no idea the house I grew up in. All of my idols are Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Robert Redford - it was that kind of house. {laughs}.

You have done both theater and television now. Do you have a preference?

Maybe one day I'll be able to figure out the answer to this, but you really can't compare the two. They are two completely different things. Part of me loves the intimacy of doing live theater with the audience, where whatever happens, happens. Another part of me loves performing on video with a cast and crew, and knowing that the whole world will see it.

Broadway is so thrilling because if your shoe falls off, which mine has plenty of times, or if you throw your cell phone into the audience, or a prop falls, you have to work with it. That's part of the thrill of Broadway and live theater. But TV is also so incredible because everyone's going to see it.

Tell us about your membership in Broadway in South Africa and what you've done with them.

Broadway in South Africa is an organization that my brother is a co-founder of, and it's very near and dear to my heart because I went to South Africa and I met the kids. I sang with them, taught them choreography and we did improv games. They are so sweet, and I feel like they taught me more than I taught them. I can't believe how some of the most unfortunate people in the world can be the happiest. It's just so enlightening to me.

You obviously come from a good place where giving back is important. I know that you've done some work with St. Jude as well.

Yes. I'm actually waitressing at Chili's this weekend for St. Jude. It's going to be really fun. I don't know what to do. I do not know how to waitress. But it's going to be really fun. I'm going to be like 'Here's your order" and they're going to say 'Where is it?" and I'll say "Oh, I ate it." {laughs}.

Do you have a dream role, in either theater or film?

Absolutely, and I have it all planned out in my head. Even though it's already been played, I would love to be able to play Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby (1974). I think that role is just ridiculous and there's so much depth to it. I can't even imagine what I could do with it. It would be so hard. She's kind of like Cat, a little bit. She reminds me of an older Cat, like when she grows up and tries to fix her mental problems but doesn't really. She just tries to convince herself that everything is good, every second, and I feel like that's how Cat would be when she grows up.

As a singer, is there anyone you'd like to collaborate with?

There's lots of singers I would love to collaborate with. I love Bon Jovi so much. I literally am in love with him, and I would love to perform with him. And also, Imogen Heap. I love her so much.

Can you describe your perfect day off?

I'll just tell you what I did last time I had the day off. I woke up and I played guitar, which I'm sort of teaching myself. (I just started). So I played and woke up everyone, then I went downstairs and had some cereal - Special K with strawberries. Then we all went out to the Santa Monica Pier as a family and we went on rides, which was really fun. Then we had a mommy-daughter moment and got our nails done. That's like the perfect day off for me.

Do you have a celebrity crush, or someone that you're just anxious to meet?

Yes, I have thousands of celebrity crushes. The entire cast of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009). Everyone in that movie is just so ridiculously good looking. Heath Ledger, rest in peace. I just love him so much. He was so talented. Some people will ask, "Johnny Depp or Heath Ledger?" That's just an impossible question. No one should be able to answer that question. I love Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis - I have a huge comedy crush on him. Jon Bon Jovi of course. Steven Tyler. Steven Tyler is ridiculous. Jude Law. I love Jude Law. My brother produced him in Hamlet, so I got to meet him . Him and my brother are like best friends now.

I actually wrote a song about Bret Michaels, Bon Jovi and all of my favorite rock stars which was fun.

So what is next for you?

I'm working on my album. I'm writing and recording my own music. I've been able to collaborate with such incredible people. Desmond Child, who is one of my very close family friends (he's like my soul-sister). He and I recorded a few songs together and I'm starring in his musical that he's writing and producing. It's called Cuba Libre. Desmond Child wrote Livin' on a Prayer, Waking up in Vegas and so many great songs. And he's the most beautiful soul I've ever met, which is awesome. I feel so blessed to have him in my life. He's really amazing.

Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?

Thank you, and I love you guys. I'm always answering everyone on Twitter and making videos galore. I'm sure it will get annoying at one point, but I feel like I still have to do it because I love you guys so much. I just want to be able to always talk to you guys, and I don't want to be annoying, but I feel like I always want to give back to you guys because I find it unbelievable that I have fans.

I'm just very thankful for them.