Every Time Ariana Grande Has Said “thank U, Next”
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Ariana Grande is a name that needs no introduction in the world of music. Her journey to stardom began at a young age when she performed in local musicals, but she made a name for herself in the hit show Victorious, which aired from 2010 to 2013. While filming Victorious, Ariana Grande signed a record deal with Republic Records, where she made her mark as a notable artist in the music industry. While Ariana Grande’s talent is undeniable, her personal life has been under the scrutiny of the public eye for years. Her romantic relationships with high-profile figures have made headlines, for better and for worse.
In 2014, Grande started dating rapper Big Sean shortly after his split from fiancée Naya Rivera. Rivera claimed in her book Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up that Grande had a part in ending their relationship, but Grande never spoke about the relationship, leaving it to be a one-sided narrative according to Rivera. Following her involvement with Big Sean, Grande entered a brief romance with Ricky Alvarez from 2015 to 2016. It is reported that she wrote her song “Moonlight” about Alvarez. It’s humorous to note that her line about Ricky Alvarez in “thank u, next” said, “Now I listen and laugh.” Her relationship with Ricky Alvarez was short-lived, and in 2016, she began dating Mac Miller. Reports circulated that Miller had cheated on his long-term girlfriend Nomi Leasure with Grande following their collaboration on the 2013 hit “The Way.”
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Another controversial relationship was with comedian Pete Davidson. According to Pete Davidson’s ex-girlfriend Cazzie David, she was shocked to see Davidson and Grande together on Instagram only days after their breakup. While it was a rocky start, the relationship did not survive, despite singing, “Even almost got married and for Pete, I’m so thankful.” Shortly following her relationship with Pete Davidson, she sparked a romance with Mikey Foster for a few months, until entering her longest relationship with Dalton Gomez. The couple tied the knot in 2020 during the pandemic and fans adored them. Their breakup in 2023 caught fans off guard and they speculated that long-distance issues and Ariana Grande’s commitments to the film Wicked were to blame for the split. Her most recent romantic turmoil centers around her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater. Online trolls have bashed her for getting involved with the star of The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! Moreover, Slater’s recent divorce has only stirred up more drama.
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Overall, critics have commonly labeled Ariana Grande as a “homewrecker” due to her past relationships, insinuating a pattern of breaking up existing partnerships. However, it’s crucial to question why spectators solely blame Grande when it takes two to tango. This criticism reveals the toxicity of fan culture and misogyny. People are quick to find reasons to dislike a powerful woman like Grande in the music industry. We should remember that fans support artists for their music, not their private relationships. The power to manage their relationships lies solely with the individuals involved. Ariana's love life should not serve as a measure of her talent and worth.
Strike Out,
Writer: Lexi Tulowitzki
Editor: Noelle Knowlton
Tallahassee