Ariana Grande References Pete Davidson, Mac Miller Splits In New Song 'Thank U, Next'
Singer Ariana Grande has something to say.
On Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, the "No Tears Left to Cry" hitmaker released her new song, "Thank U, Next," just a half hour before her ex-fiancé, comedian Pete Davidson, was set to perform on Saturday Night Live — but there's thankfully no bad blood to see here.
In addition to Davidson, the track references a number of Grande's famous exes, including Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez, and the late rapper Mac Miller. "Thought I'd end up with Sean / But it wasn't a match / Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh," she sings in the first verse. "Even almost got married / And for Pete, I'm so thankful / Wish I could say, 'Thank you' to Malcolm / 'Cause he was an angel."
As Nicki Swift previously reported, Grande, 25, and Davidson, 24, called off their engagement in mid-October 2018. The former couple, who famously got engaged after only a few weeks of dating this summer, first got together shortly after Grande and Miller (real name Malcolm McCormick) split up in May. Readers may be aware that the "My Favorite Part" rapper tragically died of a suspected overdose in early September.
Throughout her new song, Grande expresses gratitude for the lessons she's learned from each of her high-profile relationships, with lyrics like, "One taught me love / One taught me patience / And one taught me pain / Now, I'm so amazing / I've loved and I've lost ... I'm so f**kin' grateful for my ex / Thank you, next." As she revealed in the second verse, all of this has led her to finding herself, singing, "Plus, I met someone else ... But this one gon' last / 'Cause her name is Ari / And I'm so good with that."
For his part, Davidson addressed his and Grande's recent breakup during SNL's "Weekend Update" segment on Saturday, Nov. 3. "I know some of you are curious about the breakup, but the truth is, it's nobody's business, and sometimes things just don't work out, and that's OK," he told the audience. "She's a wonderful, strong person, and I genuinely wish her all the happiness in the world." In reference to the upcoming midterm elections, the stand-up comedian added, "Now please, go vote on Tuesday."
Meanwhile, Grande teased the upcoming release of her fifth studio album, also called Thank U, Next, on Twitter earlier in the day on Saturday. In a series of tweets, she explained to her fans that the record will mark "a new chapter" in her life and career, writing alongside a heart emoji, "No drags.... no shade..... jus love, gratitude, acceptance, honesty, forgiveness ... and growth."