Ariana Grande is reflecting on one of her most precious memories.
The Wicked star shared a story she’s “never” told before about how she found her sound as a musician for her debut album Yours Truly in 2013—revealing for the first time that it was her late boyfriend Mac Miller who encouraged her to take a particular path.
While speaking with students at Chapman University, Ariana said it was the “Best Day Ever” rapper who encouraged her to “make R&B influenced pop music.”
“I’m really thankful for that,” Ariana said in a TikTok video from the conversation shared Dec. 7. Noting that Mac’s advice was the reason he appeared on her single “The Way,” adding, “That’s also part of why I was so eager to ask him to be a part of it.”
“Not only because he was perfect for the song,” she continued, “but I also felt like I had him to thank for finding my sound.”
Although Mac—who dated Ariana from 2016 to 2018—died of a drug overdose in 2018 at age 26, Ariana has found many ways to honor him after his death.
Two years ago, she recognized the rapper—born Malcolm McCormick—on the 10th anniversary of Yours Truly’s release.
In the end of the remastered music video of their collaboration, the visuals fade to black while the words "Feat. Mac Miller" written in white remained on screen. On the track itself, an orchestral string section was added over Mac's second rap verse.
His untimely passing was difficult for Ariana to cope with, as she opened up about the grief she felt the following year.
"It's pretty all-consuming," the “7 Rings” singer told Vogue in 2019. "By no means was what we had perfect, but, like, f--k. He was the best person ever, and he didn't deserve the demons he had. I was the glue for such a long time, and I found myself becoming...less and less sticky. The pieces just started to float away."
To look back on Mac's moments with Ariana and more, keep reading...
Childhood Photo
Miller was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Jan. 19, 1992. He posted this childhood photo to Facebook in Dec. 2016 with the caption, "Safety First."
Arm Tattoo
Before starting his rap career in his teens, Miller wanted to be a singer. "Been Tatted," Miller captioned this Facebook picture on Nov. 23, 2013.
Career Breakthrough
On Nov. 8, 2011, Miller released his first studio album Blue Slide Park. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. This photo shows Miller performing in London in Sept. 2011.
2012 SXSW Music Festival
Miller attended the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards during the 2012 SXSW Music Festival on March 15, 2012.
Watching Movies with the Sound Off
Miller released his second studio album, Watching Movies with the Sound Off, in June 2013. The following month, he performed in Atlanta as part of The Space Migration Tour.
In Sept. 2015, Miller released his third studio album, GO:OD AM.
Miller and Ariana Grande
Miller and Ariana Grande took their romance public in the summer of 2016.
The Divine Feminine
Miller released his fourth studio album, The Divine Feminine, in Sept. 2016.
The Meadows Music and Arts Festival
Miller is pictured at The Meadows Music and Arts Festival in Oct. 2016.
Oct. 2017
Miller performed during day 1 of Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2017 at Exposition Park on Oct. 28, 2017 in Los Angeles.
May 2018
In May 2018, E! News learned that Miller and Grande had broken up after about two years together.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
On Aug. 3, Miller released his fifth studio album, Swimming. In one of his final performances, Miller appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Aug. 13.
Aug. 31, 2018
This is of Miller's last Instagram posts. He captioned the picture, "this is not my motorcycle." Miller passed one week later on Sept. 7, 2018.