01of 14THE YEAR OF ARIANAKevin Mazur/WireImage2018 was a tumultuous year for the pop goddess, and it’s perhaps best summed up in the star’s own lyrics: “I’ve loved and I’ve lost, but that’s not what I see.“Looking back at Grande’s year of personal and professional highs and lows — from a whirlwind romance and subsequent broken engagement withSaturday Night Live’sPete Davidsonand a chart-topping album that earned herBillboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year award to the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller — it’s more evident than ever how the “Thank U, Next” singer has managed to sweeten even the most bitter experiences: through her music. And for that we’ll say: thank you, and we can’t wait to see what you do next year.
01of 14
THE YEAR OF ARIANA
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
2018 was a tumultuous year for the pop goddess, and it’s perhaps best summed up in the star’s own lyrics: “I’ve loved and I’ve lost, but that’s not what I see.”
Looking back at Grande’s year of personal and professional highs and lows — from a whirlwind romance and subsequent broken engagement withSaturday Night Live’sPete Davidsonand a chart-topping album that earned herBillboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year award to the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller — it’s more evident than ever how the “Thank U, Next” singer has managed to sweeten even the most bitter experiences: through her music. And for that we’ll say: thank you, and we can’t wait to see what you do next year.
02of 14
SHE DROPPED ‘NO TEARS LEFT TO CRY’
Andrew Lipovsky/NBC
On April 20, Grande, 25,released her first singlesince the Manchester bombing attack that killed 22 people and injured more than 500 at one of the U.K. stops on her Dangerous Woman tour in May of 2017.
Grande also released the Dave Meyers-directed music video to accompany the single’s debut, which fittingly addressed her seemingly endless ability to turn pain into art.
“The concept we wanted to explore was the disorientation that you go through in life, and the quest that we all go through to kind of find the ground again,” the director said. “We sort of flirt with the ambiguity of whether you need to find the ground or whether the ground is what you make of it — sort of the optimism of the song and her,” he continued.
03of 14
SHE STOPPED TRAFFIC AT HER FIRST MET GALA
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
The singer stunned in a strapless Vera Wang ballgown featuring a painting of Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment"at the “Heavenly Bodies” Met Galaon May 7.
After making her grand entrance, the pop star snapped selfies inside with celebs includingKim KardashianWest andKylie Jenner.
04of 14SHE AND MAC MILLER SPLITAriana Grande InstagramOn May 9, PEOPLE confirmed that Grande and rapper Mac Miller (real name: Malcolm McCormick) hadamicably splitthe month before after nearly two years together.In a throwback photo Grande posted of the pair cuddling, she wrote, “This is one of my best friends in the whole world and favorite people on the planet. I respect and adore him endlessly and am grateful to have him in my life in any form, at all times regardless of how our relationship changes or what the universe holds for each of us!“She added, “Unconditional love is not selfish. It is wanting the best for that person even if at the moment, it’s not you,” and, “I can’t wait to know and support you forever and i’m so proud of you!”
04of 14
SHE AND MAC MILLER SPLIT
Ariana Grande Instagram
On May 9, PEOPLE confirmed that Grande and rapper Mac Miller (real name: Malcolm McCormick) hadamicably splitthe month before after nearly two years together.
In a throwback photo Grande posted of the pair cuddling, she wrote, “This is one of my best friends in the whole world and favorite people on the planet. I respect and adore him endlessly and am grateful to have him in my life in any form, at all times regardless of how our relationship changes or what the universe holds for each of us!”
She added, “Unconditional love is not selfish. It is wanting the best for that person even if at the moment, it’s not you,” and, “I can’t wait to know and support you forever and i’m so proud of you!”
05of 14
SHE WAS BLAMED FOR MILLER’S RELAPSE
Kevin Mazur/One Love Manchester/Getty
Barely a week after news of their split, Miller — who had long been open about his struggles with sobriety — wasarrested for a DUIon May 17.
Trolls werequick to blame Grandefor the rapper’s relapse, to which she defended herself on Twitter, opening up about previously hidden struggles in their relationship.
She concluded, “Let’s please stop doing that. of course i didn’t share about how hard or scary it was while it was happening but it was. i will continue to pray from the bottom of my heart that he figures it all out and that any other woman in this position does as well.”
06of 14
SHE MADE HER RELATIONSHIP WITH PETE DAVIDSON INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL
Pete Davidson/Instagram
Just a few weeks after news of her split from Miller, a source told PEOPLE on May 21 thatGrande had begun seeingSaturday Night Livecomedian Pete Davidson, and that things between the two had “just started” and were “very casual.”
Davidson had also gotten out ofhis long-term relationshipwith Cazzie David earlier that month.
The pair had known each other since at least 2016, when the singer hostedSNL,but they were first spotted together backstage at the 2018BillboardMusic Awards, where Grande performed. An onlooker told PEOPLE that backstage, “They seemed very lovey-dovey. He was hanging out with her and her friends with his arm around her. She seemed quite smitten.”
07of 14SHE SHOCKED FANS WITH HER ENGAGEMENTKevin Mazur/WireImageOn June 11, PEOPLE confirmed that the twowere engagedafter just a few weeks of dating. The pair seemed inseparable in the weeks leading up to the announcement, during which they frequently shared their affection for each other on social media. Grande revealed over Father’s Day weekend that the two had also moved in together.The singer has said she knew she was going to marry Davidson after seeing him for the first time, when they instantly connected on the set ofSNL.“He just ticks every box, and it gets better every day,” she said of her manin an interview with Michael StrahanforGood Morning Americain August. “I’m very grateful for him. Life is beautiful.““It’s just like a feeling, you know?” Grande added. “That’s so cheesy. People are always like, ‘When you know you know,’ and you’re like, ‘Yeah, okay, whatever.’ “The comedian proposed with a dazzling3-carat engagement ringfrom Manhattan-based jeweler Greg Yuna, whom he paid a jaw-dropping$93,000. Grande was first spotted wearing thepear-shaped diamond sparklerat iHeartRadio’s Wango Tango concert on June 2 in Los Angeles.
07of 14
SHE SHOCKED FANS WITH HER ENGAGEMENT
On June 11, PEOPLE confirmed that the twowere engagedafter just a few weeks of dating. The pair seemed inseparable in the weeks leading up to the announcement, during which they frequently shared their affection for each other on social media. Grande revealed over Father’s Day weekend that the two had also moved in together.
The singer has said she knew she was going to marry Davidson after seeing him for the first time, when they instantly connected on the set ofSNL.
“He just ticks every box, and it gets better every day,” she said of her manin an interview with Michael StrahanforGood Morning Americain August. “I’m very grateful for him. Life is beautiful.”
“It’s just like a feeling, you know?” Grande added. “That’s so cheesy. People are always like, ‘When you know you know,’ and you’re like, ‘Yeah, okay, whatever.’ "
The comedian proposed with a dazzling3-carat engagement ringfrom Manhattan-based jeweler Greg Yuna, whom he paid a jaw-dropping$93,000. Grande was first spotted wearing thepear-shaped diamond sparklerat iHeartRadio’s Wango Tango concert on June 2 in Los Angeles.
08of 14
SHE SLAYED HER ‘GOD IS A WOMAN’ PERFORMANCE AT THE VMAS
Noam Galai/WireImage
After accepting the award for best pop video, Grande hit the stage to perform “God Is a Woman” — the empowering second single off of herSweeteneralbum — alongside a group of more than 50 diverse dancers, emulating Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
09of 14SHE DROPPEDSWEETENERAriana Grande/InstagramHow sweet it is! Grande released her fourth full-length studio album,Sweetener, on Aug. 17. Her most honest work to date, the album revealed new depths to the pop star’s talent, with lyrics that candidly explored grief, mental health and the intoxication of new love, all set to bouncy, dream-like beats.The album shot to No. 1 on theBillboard200 chart just one week after its release, and was streamed over 125 million times — the largest streaming week ever for a female pop album,according toBillboard.Included in the album was the controversial track “Pete Davidson,” which fans judged as a rash inclusion after the pair’s whirlwind romance began. Grandedefended her decision, writing to one fan, “He’s my fiancé. This is my album. I’m an honest and emotional artist and human being and if my openness in my work isn’t for you, that’s OK.” She added, “I won’t be offended. Still wishing y’all all the love in the world.“The lyrics gave insight into their honeymoon phase: “And I know you know that you’re my soulmate and all that/ I’m like ooh, ooh/ My whole life got me ready for you, ooh/ Got me happy, happy/ I’ma be happy, happy, yeah.”
09of 14
SHE DROPPEDSWEETENER
Ariana Grande/Instagram
How sweet it is! Grande released her fourth full-length studio album,Sweetener, on Aug. 17. Her most honest work to date, the album revealed new depths to the pop star’s talent, with lyrics that candidly explored grief, mental health and the intoxication of new love, all set to bouncy, dream-like beats.
The album shot to No. 1 on theBillboard200 chart just one week after its release, and was streamed over 125 million times — the largest streaming week ever for a female pop album,according toBillboard.
Included in the album was the controversial track “Pete Davidson,” which fans judged as a rash inclusion after the pair’s whirlwind romance began. Grandedefended her decision, writing to one fan, “He’s my fiancé. This is my album. I’m an honest and emotional artist and human being and if my openness in my work isn’t for you, that’s OK.” She added, “I won’t be offended. Still wishing y’all all the love in the world.”
The lyrics gave insight into their honeymoon phase: “And I know you know that you’re my soulmate and all that/ I’m like ooh, ooh/ My whole life got me ready for you, ooh/ Got me happy, happy/ I’ma be happy, happy, yeah.”
10of 14HER EX MAC MILLER DIEDDavid X Prutting/BFA/REX/ShutterstockOn Sept. 7, PEOPLE confirmed thatMiller diedof a drug overdose at his Studio City, California, home. He was 26.Miller and Grande had split just a few months earlier, anda source told PEOPLEthat the singer “completely broke down after she found out about Mac.” The source added, “She can’t believe he isn’t here anymore. He was such a special person to her. She is very, very sad … This is a nightmare for her.“Grande shared ablack-and-white photographof her former boyfriend to Instagram one day after the rapper was pronounced dead. Nearly one week later, she spoke out about it for the first time, postingan emotional tribute.“i adored you from the day i met you when i was nineteen and i always will,” she wrote on Instagram, alongside a throwback video of thepair laughing together.“i can’t believe you aren’t here anymore,” she added in the emotional post. “I really can’t wrap my head around it. We talked about this. so many times. i’m so mad, i’m so sad i don’t know what to do.“Continuing, she wrote, “you were my dearest friend. for so long. above anything else. i’m so sorry i couldn’t fix or take your pain away. i really wanted to. the kindest, sweetest soul with demons he never deserved. i hope you’re okay now. Rest.”
10of 14
HER EX MAC MILLER DIED
David X Prutting/BFA/REX/Shutterstock
On Sept. 7, PEOPLE confirmed thatMiller diedof a drug overdose at his Studio City, California, home. He was 26.
Miller and Grande had split just a few months earlier, anda source told PEOPLEthat the singer “completely broke down after she found out about Mac.” The source added, “She can’t believe he isn’t here anymore. He was such a special person to her. She is very, very sad … This is a nightmare for her.”
Grande shared ablack-and-white photographof her former boyfriend to Instagram one day after the rapper was pronounced dead. Nearly one week later, she spoke out about it for the first time, postingan emotional tribute.
“i adored you from the day i met you when i was nineteen and i always will,” she wrote on Instagram, alongside a throwback video of thepair laughing together.
“i can’t believe you aren’t here anymore,” she added in the emotional post. “I really can’t wrap my head around it. We talked about this. so many times. i’m so mad, i’m so sad i don’t know what to do.”
Continuing, she wrote, “you were my dearest friend. for so long. above anything else. i’m so sorry i couldn’t fix or take your pain away. i really wanted to. the kindest, sweetest soul with demons he never deserved. i hope you’re okay now. Rest.”
11of 14
SHE WELCOMED THE INTERNET’S FAVORITE PET, PIGGY SMALLZ
In mid-September, the pop star and comedian expanded their family … with a pet pig!
Piggy Smallz, whom Grande dubbed “the absolute love of my life,” quickly won the Internet’s heart (and later,PaperMagazine’sCelebrity Pet of the YearAward). Davidson evengot a tattooof the couple’s porcine pal on his side.
The singer explained to fans that the track’s real music video was in the works. “Don’t kill me i took some time off bc i was real sad and we didn’t expect the record to pop off like this,” she wrote.
12of 14SHE AND DAVIDSON CALLED OFF THEIR ENGAGEMENTJeff Kravitz/FilmMagicOn Oct. 14, PEOPLE confirmed that couple hadcalled it quitsand ended their engagement over the weekend.“It was way too much too soon,” a Grande source told PEOPLE. “It’s not shocking to anyone.“Later, Grande revealed that Davidson hadblocked heron social media after their split. “He blocked her and said, ‘Stop reaching out. You’re not good for my health. I can’t have this in my life,’ " a source told PEOPLE.The couple’s split came after the singer had endured a difficult few weeks as she came to terms with the loss of Miller. After venting abouther emotional exhaustion to her Twitter followers— tweeting, “Can i pls have one okay day. just one. pls … i’m so f—ing tired pls” — the startook some much-needed time off, skipping the Emmys.“Given the events of the past couple of years, Ariana is going to take some much needed time to heal and mend,” her team told PEOPLE in September. “She will be staying close to home and using this period to spend time with her loved ones and work on new music without deadline. She thanks her fans for their understanding.”
12of 14
SHE AND DAVIDSON CALLED OFF THEIR ENGAGEMENT
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
On Oct. 14, PEOPLE confirmed that couple hadcalled it quitsand ended their engagement over the weekend.
“It was way too much too soon,” a Grande source told PEOPLE. “It’s not shocking to anyone.”
Later, Grande revealed that Davidson hadblocked heron social media after their split. “He blocked her and said, ‘Stop reaching out. You’re not good for my health. I can’t have this in my life,’ " a source told PEOPLE.
The couple’s split came after the singer had endured a difficult few weeks as she came to terms with the loss of Miller. After venting abouther emotional exhaustion to her Twitter followers— tweeting, “Can i pls have one okay day. just one. pls … i’m so f—ing tired pls” — the startook some much-needed time off, skipping the Emmys.
“Given the events of the past couple of years, Ariana is going to take some much needed time to heal and mend,” her team told PEOPLE in September. “She will be staying close to home and using this period to spend time with her loved ones and work on new music without deadline. She thanks her fans for their understanding.”
13of 14SHE DROPPED ‘THANK U, NEXT’ — AND ITS STAR-STUDDED MUSIC VIDEOAriana Grande/InstagramOn Nov. 3 — less than three months after droppingSweetener— the pop star released theimmediately iconic breakup anthem"Thank U, Next,” which marked her first single to hit No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100 chart (where it stayed for four weeks).The empowering song — which was written “mostly” in a week — is Grande’sfavorite track to ever be released, she toldBillboardin herDecember cover story. In the tune, she thinks back on her past romances with dancerRicky Alvarez, rapperBig Sean, Davidson and Miller, thanking them for what she’s learned from their time together and how they’ve ultimately led her to a greater sense of self-love.“Thought I’d end up with Sean / But he wasn’t a match / Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh / Even almost got married / And for Pete, I’m so thankful / Wish I could say ‘Thank you’ to Malcolm / ‘Cause he was an angel,” she sings.After weeks of teasinga music videofor the song, Grande thrilled fans on Nov. 30 when she released the star-studded visuals. The Hannah Lux Davis-directed video sees Grande recreating iconic scenes fromMean Girls, Legally Blonde,13 Going on 30 andBring It On.
13of 14
SHE DROPPED ‘THANK U, NEXT’ — AND ITS STAR-STUDDED MUSIC VIDEO
On Nov. 3 — less than three months after droppingSweetener— the pop star released theimmediately iconic breakup anthem"Thank U, Next,” which marked her first single to hit No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100 chart (where it stayed for four weeks).
The empowering song — which was written “mostly” in a week — is Grande’sfavorite track to ever be released, she toldBillboardin herDecember cover story. In the tune, she thinks back on her past romances with dancerRicky Alvarez, rapperBig Sean, Davidson and Miller, thanking them for what she’s learned from their time together and how they’ve ultimately led her to a greater sense of self-love.
“Thought I’d end up with Sean / But he wasn’t a match / Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh / Even almost got married / And for Pete, I’m so thankful / Wish I could say ‘Thank you’ to Malcolm / ‘Cause he was an angel,” she sings.
After weeks of teasinga music videofor the song, Grande thrilled fans on Nov. 30 when she released the star-studded visuals. The Hannah Lux Davis-directed video sees Grande recreating iconic scenes fromMean Girls, Legally Blonde,13 Going on 30 andBring It On.
14of 14SHE GAVE AN EMOTIONAL ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AFTER BEING NAMEDBILLBOARD’S WOMAN OF THE YEARMike Coppola/Getty Images for BillboardOn Dec. 6, the “Dangerous Woman” singer was honored atBillboard’s Women in Music event, where she was presented with the prestigious Woman of the Year award.During her acceptance speech, Grande struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on her roller coaster of a year.“I want to say that I find it interesting that this has been one of the best years of my career and the worst of my life,” she said. “I’m not saying that for sympathy, I’m just saying that because I think a lot of people would look at someone in my position right now … and think, ‘She’s really got her s— together,’ Ya know? Like, ‘She’s really on it.’ Like, ‘She’s got it all.’ “Grande continued: “I do, but as far as my personal life goes, I really have no idea what the f— I’m doing so yeah, it’s been a very conflicting one.““I just want to say if you’re someone out there who has no idea what this next chapter’s gonna bring, you’re not alone in that,” Grande continued, fighting back tears. “Ew, I’m not gonna cry that’s really stupid… You’re not alone in that. I’m really looking forward to embracing whatever happens; whatever comes my way.“Finishing her speech, Grande opened up about her plans for 2019 and revealed what she’s has learned throughout her difficult year — including a new approach to love and relationships.“I look forward to hopefully learning to give some of the love and forgiveness that I’ve given away so frivolously and easily to men in the past to myself hopefully this year,” she said. “I have everything I’ve ever dreamt of having and as of late I’ve discovered that it’s the things I’ve always had and the people I’ve always had that still make me the happiest.”
14of 14
SHE GAVE AN EMOTIONAL ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AFTER BEING NAMEDBILLBOARD’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Billboard
On Dec. 6, the “Dangerous Woman” singer was honored atBillboard’s Women in Music event, where she was presented with the prestigious Woman of the Year award.
During her acceptance speech, Grande struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on her roller coaster of a year.
“I want to say that I find it interesting that this has been one of the best years of my career and the worst of my life,” she said. “I’m not saying that for sympathy, I’m just saying that because I think a lot of people would look at someone in my position right now … and think, ‘She’s really got her s— together,’ Ya know? Like, ‘She’s really on it.’ Like, ‘She’s got it all.’ "
Grande continued: “I do, but as far as my personal life goes, I really have no idea what the f— I’m doing so yeah, it’s been a very conflicting one.”
“I just want to say if you’re someone out there who has no idea what this next chapter’s gonna bring, you’re not alone in that,” Grande continued, fighting back tears. “Ew, I’m not gonna cry that’s really stupid… You’re not alone in that. I’m really looking forward to embracing whatever happens; whatever comes my way.”
Finishing her speech, Grande opened up about her plans for 2019 and revealed what she’s has learned throughout her difficult year — including a new approach to love and relationships.
“I look forward to hopefully learning to give some of the love and forgiveness that I’ve given away so frivolously and easily to men in the past to myself hopefully this year,” she said. “I have everything I’ve ever dreamt of having and as of late I’ve discovered that it’s the things I’ve always had and the people I’ve always had that still make me the happiest.”
source: people.com
