The death of Mac Miller, a rapper and former boyfriend of pop star Ariana Grande, on September 7, 2018, shocked and saddened fans around the world. The couple had dated for two years before breaking up in May 2018, and many wondered how Grande would respond to the news of Miller’s passing.
In the immediate aftermath of Miller’s death, Grande was understandably devastated. She posted a black-and-white photo of the rapper on her Instagram account, but did not initially make any public statements about his passing. However, her silence did not go unnoticed, and some fans criticized her for not speaking out about the tragedy.
Grande eventually broke her silence on September 8, one day after Miller’s death. She posted a simple photo of the rapper on her Instagram account, along with a caption that read, “I adored you from the day i met you when i was nineteen and i always will. i can’t believe you aren’t here anymore. 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. 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.”
The post was widely shared and liked by Grande’s followers, many of whom expressed their condolences and support for the singer. Grande’s heartfelt words seemed to resonate with many people, who praised her for her honesty and vulnerability in the face of such a difficult loss.
In the weeks and months that followed Miller’s death, Grande continued to pay tribute to the rapper in various ways. She posted several photos and videos of him on her social media accounts, and even included a reference to him in her hit single “Thank U, Next,” which was released in November 2018.
However, Grande’s grief was not without controversy. Some fans accused her of exploiting Miller’s death for her own benefit, while others criticized her for moving on too quickly with her new boyfriend, comedian Pete Davidson. Grande addressed these criticisms in a series of tweets in November 2018, in which she defended herself and her actions.
In one tweet, she wrote, “I’m trying to learn to give myself the same amount of love and attention I give to others. I’m trying to keep my head above water and not drown in a single thing right now. Sorry if [it] upsets anyone. But it’s been a very intense couple of months. I’m trying to get my work done and get back to normal and it’s hard and I’m human and tired.”
Despite the controversy surrounding her grief, Grande remained a beloved figure to many of her fans. Her openness and vulnerability in the face of such a difficult loss was seen by many as a testament to her strength and resilience, and her continued success in the years following Miller’s death has only reinforced that perception.