Ariana Grande reveals what ‘saved her life’ after Mac Miller’s death and Manchester terror attack
'I was doing so much therapy, and I was dealing with PTSD and all different kinds of grief.'
Ariana Grande has revealed the one thing that ‘saved her life’ following a terrorist attack at her concert and the death of her ex-boyfriend.
In May 2017, 22 people were killed and many more were injured when a terrorist attack took place at the pop star’s concert.
The bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack in the UK since the 2005 London bombings and took place just a year before the death of Mac Miller.
Miller, 26, died at his home in September 2018 after an accidental drug overdose of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol.
After these horrific events took place in such a short space of time, Grande revealed that there was only one thing that helped her cope with the trauma – her music.
‘I was doing so much therapy, and I was dealing with PTSD and all different kinds of grief and depression and anxiety,’ she told The Hollywood Reporter‘s ‘Awards Chatter’ podcast.
‘I was, of course, treating it very seriously, but having music be a part of that remedy was absolutely contributing to saving my life.
‘They were dark times, and the music brought so much levity.’
Mac Miller and Grande dated from 2016 to 2018 (Picture: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)In 2020, Grande spoke about the importance of the album as she revealed on social media: ‘Making this project with so many dear friends quite literally saved my life and gave me the courage to be vulnerable and be honest with people.
‘Thank u for making me feel heard, safe and incredibly human. It is nice (and so healing) to know that I don’t have to hide behind a weird, polished pop star facade and that I’m able to connect with so many people over my truths and pain.’
The singer released the album Thank U, Next in February 2019, just months after she dropped the album Sweetener which was released in August 2018.
The God is A Woman singer revealed in the podcast interview that her label wasn’t keen on her releasing the albums in quick succession – but understood her demands.
‘The label understood that [I needed to release Thank U, Next], but they were also very hesitant to stop Sweetener dead in its tracks and move onto an album so quickly…
‘I just said: “I don’t really care about the formula. I don’t want to play by the rules at this moment, because this is what I need for my soul.”‘
‘It felt really healing and freeing.’
The singer was joined by various artists (Picture: Dave Hogan/One Love Benefit/REX/Shutterstock) The concert raised money for the British Red Cross (Picture: Dave Hogan/One Love Benefit/REX/Shutterstock)Following the Manchester attacks, the singer organised a concert with other artists called One Love Manchester.
The benefit concert and British television special aired on June 4, 2017. Guest stars included Justin Bieber, the Black Eyed Peas, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Mac Miller, Marcus Mumford, Niall Horan, Little Mix, Katy Perry, Take That, Imogen Heap, Victoria Monét, Pharrell Williams, Robbie Williams and Liam Gallagher.
Reports suggested that the concert made over £17 million for the British Red Cross.
In 2020 on the third anniversary of the attack, Grande said on Instagram: ‘I want to take a moment to acknowledge and send my love to everyone that is feeling the sadness and tremendous heaviness of the anniversary coming up this wee.
‘Not a day goes by that this doesn’t affect you and all of us still. I will be thinking of you all week and weekend.
‘The sadness and tremendous heaviness of the anniversary. My heart, thoughts, prayers are with you always.’
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