Ariana Grande is opening up about a deeply personal memory involving the late Mac Miller. While speaking with students at Chapman University, Grande shared for the first time that Miller played a major role in helping her discover the sound of her debut album, “Yours Truly.” According to E! News, she recalled that he encouraged her to pursue “R&B-influenced pop music,” which ultimately shaped her identity as an artist and led her to feature him on her breakout single “The Way.” Grande said she felt she “had him to thank” for helping her find her musical lane.
Miller, who passed away in 2018 at age 26, continues to hold an important place in Grande’s life and work. She has honored him in multiple ways over the years, including adding new orchestral elements to his verse and spotlighting his credit in the remastered video for the 10th anniversary of “Yours Truly.” Grande has also spoken candidly about the grief she carried after his passing, telling Vogue in 2019 that losing him was “all-consuming” and calling him “the best person ever.”
How Mac Miller Helped Shape Grande’s Sound
Grande revealed during her masterclass that it was Miller who encouraged her to “do the brave thing” and lean into R&B-influenced pop early in her career. Per Complex, she explained that his guidance was a major reason she was eager to collaborate with him on “The Way,” calling him “perfect for the song” and acknowledging that she “had him to thank for finding my sound.”
Their musical connection extended well beyond that track. The pair collaborated on songs including “My Favorite Part” and a remix of Grande’s single “Into You,” building a creative partnership that fans still revisit today. Miller’s influence, she said, helped her trust her instincts as she shaped the direction of her early work.
Grande dated Miller from 2016 until 2018, and she has continued to honor him in her music. On her hit “thank u, next,” she famously referred to him as an angel, a moment that resonated with both artists’ fans.
A Look Back at Their Relationship and Lasting Legacy
GettyGrande and Miller first connected in 2012 through a lighthearted online exchange that led to their duet on “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” per Us Weekly. By 2013, they reunited for “The Way,” where they shared their now-iconic onscreen kiss. Over time, their friendship evolved, and they took their relationship public in 2016.
Throughout their nearly two-year romance, the pair supported one another personally and professionally. Miller stood by Grande after the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and appeared onstage at the One Love Manchester benefit concert. Their bond was reflected in their music as well, including their collaboration on “My Favorite Part.”
Grande has remained open about the impact of their relationship. After Miller’s passing, she honored him with a heartfelt Instagram tribute, calling him her “dearest friend” and writing that he had “the kindest, sweetest soul.” In a later conversation with Vogue, she reflected on the complexities of their time together, saying, “He was the best person ever, and he didn’t deserve the demons he had.”
