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Ariana Grande Changed "Thank U, Next" Lyrics on Tour Days Before Ethan Slater Breakup News
For Ariana Grande, it seems like each year keeps getting sweeter and sweeter (or should we say sweetener?).
Take this last one, for instance. A few popular highlights for the singer—who celebrates her 33rd birthday June 26—include her role in Wicked: For Good, her Grammy win with Cynthia Erivo for "Defying Gravity," her continued success with r.e.m. beauty and her third time hosting Saturday Night Live.
And sure, her most recent trip around the sun wasn't solely filled with eternal sunshine as it was recently confirmed that she and Wicked costar Ethan Slater broke up after nearly three years together. But save your tears for another day because E! News learned the split was amicable and that they actually parted ways months ago.
And when all is said and done, you better believe Grande is moving on. For starters, she's currently on her eternal sunshine tour, which she kicked off in Oakland, Calif., earlier this month.
"[It’s] my first tour in seven years," Grande told the crowd in a video posted to social media June 12, "and I couldn’t possibly dream of a better place to start. So thank you for having us. It has been really beautiful."
Also beautiful has been the show of support at these shows. Grande’s star-studded friends—including Demi Lovato as well as Victorious costars Liz Gillies and Matt Bennett—have attended the concerts along with her mom Joan Grande and brother Frankie Grande.
"She’s an unbelievable artist," the Broadway star told E! News at the 2026 Tony Awards June 7. "The fact that she gets to show all of that on stage, I’m so proud of her."
And this time on stage is especially poignant. Indeed, for Grande, the tour marks "one last hurrah—for now."
"I do know that I’m very excited to do this small tour," she admitted on Good Hang With Amy Poehler in November, "but I think it might not happen again for a long, long, long, long time."
Instagram / Ariana Grande
But just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin. Because Grande's music pov will continue to come across, including in her upcoming album Petal.
"It’s basically about something that is full of life growing through the cracks of some things cold and hard and challenging," she explained in a May 7 Instagram video. "It’s kind of about breaking up with all different kinds of negative attachments, whether it’s my own monsters in my own head, external voices, things that no longer serve me.”
Still, the “7 Rings” artist hopes the lyrics ring true for listeners too.
"It was a writing experiment for me to use that as a template so that I could be talking about one thing, sharing something," she continued, "and people could use it however they want and apply it to their own lives."
As for what fans can expect from the music, Grande described it as "a little feral."
"It’s definitely from a place that I have been, maybe, too shy or polite to tap into before," she added, "and this kind of just feels like f--k it."
While Arianators won’t be able to break free from the anticipation until July 31, Grande has already released the full track list and the album’s first single "Hate That I Made You Love Me," calling it "one of my favorite songs I’ll ever write." And when her costar Justin Long heard about the music video, which dropped in May, he didn’t waver from side to side about whether he wanted to participate.
Noting it was "an unexpected gift to be a part of this project," the Going the Distance alum added on Instagram, "I look forward to one day hearing my grandchild say 'isn’t it crazy that Grandpa was in an Ariana Grande music video??'"
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Switchin' positions to Grande’s acting career, she also has several projects on deck. Like her appearance in American Horror Story’s celeb-filled 13th season, which debuts this fall.
"I think I’ll have a very tiny thing to do in it," she teased to Variety in November, "but I’ll be grateful to be a part of it."
Grande is also thankful to be a part of Ben Stiller’s new movie Focker-in-Law as she's been a fan of his and Robert De Niro's Meet the Parents franchise for years.
"It was truly spectacular,” she told Today in November about making the film, which premieres on Thanksgiving. "I mean, I have grown up adoring Ben. Every single person in the cast, I have grown up worshipping. So to be able to work with them and share a creative space with them was a dream come true."
In addition, Grande’s focus on acting sees her reuniting with some of her Wicked colleagues, including costar Jonathan Bailey for their summer 2027 production of Sunday in the Park With George and director Jon M. Chu for the 2028 animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You’ll Go!.
And whenever she’s determining her next move, Grande searches for something that will change her for good. Describing her career as "spontaneous or curious," she told Backstage in February, "It’s ever sort of shape-shifting at the moment. I’m really lucky to be able to follow inspiring impulses and see where they take me."
As fans wait to see where these impulses take her next, wish Ariana a happy 33rd birthday one last time and scroll through her fashion evolution from over the years.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Glam Girl
Ariana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Darling Diva
The Sam & Cat star stunned in a charming white mini-dress at the 2011 Grammy Awards. She paired her simple, yet striking outfit with sparkly gold heels and dainty jewelry pieces.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Radiant in Red
Ariana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards in her red Dolce & Gabbana dress.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Vintage Vibes
Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.
Mark Davis/Getty Images
Ray of Sunshine
The "Dangerous Woman" singer made a splash at the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Matching the orange carpet, Grande wore a vibrant mini-dress and paired it with white pumps and a whimsical clutch.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Dashing in Black
Ariana oozed with old Hollywood glamour at the 2014 American Music Awards. She opted for a floor-length black lace gown from MT Costello.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS
White-Hot
Wearing a white gown with silver lamé mesh at the 2015 Grammy Awards, Ariana shined as bright as the flashing lights on the red carpet.
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
Effortlessly Elegant
Beaming in a floral beaded, peplum mini-dress at the 2015 American Music Awards, Ariana stunned in this statement-making piece from Giambattista Valli.
Neil P. Mockford/GC Images
Vision in White
The Grammy winner waved as she arrived at her 2015 KISS FM appearance in a white ensemble, matching heels and hair buns.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Penchant for Pantsuits
Ditching the usual dress at the 2016 American Music Awards, the "Problem" artist opted for a sexy corset top and elegant white pants.
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images
Oversized Overalls
Ariana rocked a funky fresh outfit at the 2016 Hairspray Live! press junket. She sizzled in oversized overalls, a bralette and a bedazzled choker necklace.
David Becker/Getty Images
Royal Blues
Ariana brought the heat to the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Her Atelier Versace dress highlighted her playful side with its unique cut-out design and bright colors.
John Shearer/Getty Images
God Is a Woman
Ariana took fans to church with her Sistine Chapel-inspired dress at the 2018 Met Gala. Megan McCluskey designed the gown in keeping with event's theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Cotton Candy Dream
Ariana looked like a cotton candy dream in her pastel pink ensemble at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango event. Giving us '90s nostalgia, she rocked platinum sneakers, matching ankle socks and an oversized sweater that states, "girls girls girls."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Billboard
Lavender "Loofah"
The "7 Rings" singer looked regal and elegant in her custom Christian Siriano dress, which she perfectly dubbed the "loofah of the year" lewk. Of course, she tied her outfit together by wearing her signature thigh-high boots.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
SIlver Siren
Not only did the pop star turn heads with two outfit changes at the 2020 Grammys red carpet, but her platinum blonde pony was all anyone could talk about at the time.
Curly Sue
Ariana said thank u, next to her signature high pony by sharing a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.
13 Going on 30
The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.
Blonde Beauty
One short day in October 2022, the Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look.
David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
Wickedly Good
Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.
Gotham/Getty Images
Goddess of the Garden
For the 2024 Met Gala, which had a "Garden of Time" dress code to celebrate the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit, Ariana wore an ethereal white gown from Loewe featuring a mother of pearl bodice—a nod to her birthstone—and long chiffon skirt.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
An Enchanting Evening
While Ariana had several magical outfits throughout both Wicked press tours, this Custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown she wore to the 2025 Wicked: For Good premiere in New York—made with 200 meters of silk organza and tulle divided into 20 ruffles—was particularly popular.
Arturo Holmes/WireImage
Oscars Ready
In fact, she wore the same designer for her first Academy Award nomination at the 2025 Oscars. She truly shimmered as the pink satin duchess and nude tulle number featured more than 190,000 crystal sequins, rhinestones and beads.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Gorgeous Gown
Daydreamin' of the details for Ariana's dress for the 2026 Golden Globes? The beautiful black dress was a Vivienne Westwood design.
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