And so the Ariana Grande fan train still keeps on rolling! 2018 has proven to be the year for Miss Grande with her hit album "Sweetener" and MULTIPLE hit singles being played on the radio. Her iconic oversized hoodie and over-the-knee heeled boots made the list of top Halloween costumes this year and even I am guilty in saying that I've been using her trademark hairstyle for a while now. Let's just face it — it's safe to say that Ariana Grande has made it.
That's not to say that she hasn't had her bad times, as well... and for the whole world to see. We all know about her recent split from Pete Davidson, the horrible passing of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and the tragic Manchester bombing that occurred last year. Ariana has proven, however, that she has learned from the pain and is, how you say, unbelievably thriving right now in her career. Billboard just named her the Woman of the Year, so let's reflect on just how amazing this Godlike woman really is for all the right reasons.
The already iconic "thank u, next" video.
Let's be real — we ALL knew that the "thank u, next" video was going to be something else right when we all heard the song. Add the fact that Ariana kept dropping hints all over her socials that the video would include the most iconic chick-flicks of the late '90s-early 2000s and we all hopped on the bandwagon quicker than you can say "FETCH." All of this combined makes the most perfect package for a #1 breakup single, like, in history.
She is still BFFs with her "Victorious" costars.
For someone to become the biggest pop star in the world, it can be easily assumed by everyone that she wouldn't really have time to stay close with old friends- well, Ariana proves us wrong. She is still super close with her "Victorious" costars Elizabeth Gillies (Jade), Matt Bennett (Robbie) and Daniella Monet (Trina), and they all made cameos in the "thank u, next" video! We are all absolutely here for this.
She included all WOC in her first "God is a woman" performance.
In my opinion, this performance was the best of the whole award show. Ariana made her first performance of this iconic song nothing short of special: the choreography, the vocals, the fact that she brought out the women in her family and there's women of all color up there! Ariana proved how she utilizes the opportunity of having a platform when she gets it- we love a queen.
She isn't afraid to be sassy on Twitter- for the right reasons.
The tea has been SPILT! After Piers Morgan wrote tweets slamming Ellen and then Little Mix for using nudity to sell albums, Ariana's own mother replied to the remarks with disgust. When Piers shot back with saying that her own daughter does the same, Ariana clapped back with quoting one of Piers' old tweets with a good pointed comment. Well done, Ari!
She values her family a TON.
As we've seen before during the "God is a woman" performance and the Twitter drama, Ariana makes family come first in her life. If you follow her on Insta, you know that she always posts pictures and videos with her mom, Nonna and her brother Frankie. Longtime fans can even remember the close bond she had with her late grandpa who passed away in 2014 since she posted so many pictures with him in the past. Any person who values family is a favorite in my book.
She organized the "Manchester One Love" event.
Everyone knows about the horrible tragedy that occurred in May 2017 when a suicide bomber entered the Manchester Arena after one of Ariana's concerts that resulted in 23 deaths, including the bomber. This would destroy any person who was somehow involved in this, but the way in which Ariana rose up from her pain is something everyone has remembered.
Just 12 days after the incident, Ariana organized a benefit concert with the Manchester community that would honor those who passed and were injured as well as proving that fear wouldn't prevail. I have gained so much respect and appreciation for Ariana since this awful event, and she has proved to be such a strong woman ever since.
She can sing AND act. Really well.
Most of my generation first discovered Ariana when she starred as Cat Valentine in "Victorious" and then "Sam and Cat," and it honestly is pretty surprising that the Ariana of today is the same girl who played that character not too long ago. Since then she has proved to have some acting chops in other Nickelodeon productions, Scream Queens and even played Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray Live!" and rocked every role.
You can tell she has a serious knack for musical theatre... so why hasn't she returned to the Broadway stage yet?!?
She supports other women whole-heartedly.
Going back to the whole Piers Morgan Twitter drama, Ariana also fired back with this insanely bittersweet tweet that had everyone applauding for her. She stuck up for her fellow colleagues in the 'biz and even threw polite shade at Piers with one of her song titles in the most appropriate fashion. Ariana made it clear that all women have the right to dress — or undress- in whatever way they like, and how men and other women need to recognize this. All we can say to you, Piers... "THANK U, NEXT!"
She stands for all things great.
Even when it is about her ex-fiancé Pete Davidson, Ariana still makes it clear that being unkind is not cool ever. When Pete posted on his Instagram about how hard the abuse he is getting from hurtful fans every day is getting to him, Ariana responded with this message about never condoning this behavior (even under the circumstances that this is her ex-lover). She really does handle the bad with great poise.
She has shown her strength time and time again.
From the stupid Twitter haters to all her exes, to Mac Miller's death to the Manchester bombing, Ariana has proven multiple times how she can overcome it all. She always talks about the importance of mental health and having self-love in order to go about everyday life and even shows her gratitude for her fans constantly on her socials. She is the definition of fierce, and hopefully, we get to see her grow even more in the best ways possible for years to come.
