Ariana Grande reveals ‘hardest moments of loss and grief’ on new album following divorce from husband Dalton Gomez
HER wedding to Dalton Gomez was kept top secret until she stunned fans by dropping their pictures online in May 2021.
And after she quietly divorced him in October, Ariana Grande made sure the news was kept as low key as possible too.
But like with most bad break-ups, it seems the American singer is finally ready to shout about what happened.
And just like pal Taylor Swift, Ari has put her heartbreak into her new album.
The Yes, And? singer admitted she was in floods of tears while making most of Eternal Sunshine, which will chronicle the breakdown of the whirlwind romance.
The record, out next Friday, will feature “the hardest moments of loss and grief,” according to Ari, who wrote the break-up album after throwing herself into work on the new Wicked film.
But before estate agent Dalton plans to go to ground, he will be pleased to know Ariana said she has bitten her tongue rather than letting rip at him on the record.
Ari said of the songs: “I wrote some of them when I was very emotional. And then there are bops that are more fun. Actually, even some of the bops I cried writing.
“I wanted to make sure that it was what I intended, which, even at my most heartbroken or pained moments of the past few years, there was so much kindness, there was so much love, there was so much honesty, transparency and respect.
“So even at the hardest moments of the loss and the grief that you hear on some of the album, there was so much love and transparency.”
She continued: “It wasn’t like a ‘F**k you’ at all, ever. Even, like, track two (Bye), I tried to make sure it was kind and giving credit for trying and for the goodness that there was.
“That was a tricky balance for me because I definitely had some sessions where I was writing more emotionally and reactively, but that’s also very human, so I didn’t want to erase all of it.”
While the break-up was hard, Ari said it actually sped up her return to the studio, as she had planned to take years out before returning with a follow-up to 2020 album Positions.
She said on The Zach Sang Show in the US: “If I had to bet when our next interview would be, talking about an album, I would have said 2027.”
Fans hoping to catch her performing the new record live may have to wait a while, as Ari will be busy promoting the Wicked movie over the next year and well into 2025.
Ari said: “I had a really hard time emotionally on my last tour but I think that’s because of where I was at.
“I do have a very busy year. But I definitely do have the itch (to perform).”
It’s been five years since Ari last performed in the UK and given the huge demand back then for her Sweetener tour, I can imagine her fans — us lot included — will be queuing for hours on the internet trying to bag a seat when she does hit the road again.
THREE weeks after I told you Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice had waltzed off with another glamorous model, he has confirmed the news.
Gio shared this snap with Molly Brown on Instagram yesterday and referred to her as “my love.”
She posted the same pic with the caption: “Amore Mio.” He replied with the same phrase, which means “my love” in Italian.
Gio has previously dated beauties such as Love Island’s Maura Higgins.
“Gorgeous” is clearly his type.
Stone me! Celebs really do eat!
DON’T you just hate when you’re tucking into your tea and someone at the table shouts, “Smile”, and shoves their iPhone in your face.
It happened to Oscars favourite Emma Stone when she was nailing a chicken pie at the SAG awards in the US over the weekend.
This snap of the Poor Things actress grinning with a full spoon has gone viral after it appeared online yesterday with captions including: “When the waiter comes over and says how’s your food?”
I’m not sure what I find more funny, that a famous woman is actually eating a proper meal or that Emma’s eyes are screaming: “Leave me alone.”
The pie looks a bit dry too. Where’s the gravy?
MOLLIE ‘N MATT ON THE MOVE
THEY’VE proved a powerful partnership since joining BBC Radio 1 in 2018.
And now Mollie King and Matt Edmonson are being rewarded for their success with a new slot.
I can exclusively reveal the pair are taking over from Dean McCullough and Vicky Hawkesworth on the afternoon show which airs from 1-3pm on Monday to Thursday.
A source said: “It’s huge for them after grafting over the weekend for so long and they were thrilled when they were told.”
Yesterday it was revealed Mollie will be raising money for Comic Relief by taking on a gruelling five-day 300-mile bike ride from London to her late dad’s hometown of Hull.
This good news should help keep her going up those hills.
PLAY TIME FOR KIT
THE award for biggest U-turn of the week goes to Jeremy O. Harris, writer of Broadway hit Slave Play.
He poured scorn on shows “who think commercial theatre can only be made if you have someone who’s on the biggest TV show,” in a role.
And then confirmed Game Of Thrones’ Kit Harington would be starring in the play’s West End run this summer.
Jeremy went on to say he wasn’t a fan of celebrity bookings, admitting he thought it turned theatre shows into a “Disney World attraction.”
Next he’ll be announcing Mickey and Minnie…
A JOKE mocking Lindsay Lohan has been pulled from the home release of the Mean Girls musical remake.
The film featured a gag using the term “fire crotch”, which was used about Lindsay by socialite Brandon Davis in 2006.
The actress played the lead in the 2004 original and has a cameo in the new film, but on learning about the joke, her rep said: “Lindsay was very hurt and disappointed.”
Hopefully the £400,000 she is believed to have been paid for half a day’s filming and to go to the premiere made up for it.
. . . meanwhile Alex is a spa star
HE will be leading the charge for Britpop at the Brits, and now Blur‘s Alex James has revealed how he likes to get ready for such big events.
Rather than the standard male glow-up of shower, s**t and a shave, Alex prefers a spa.
He said: “I love a mani, I love a pedi. A 90-minute facial and I’m all in.
“Especially if you’re travelling a lot, it’s the first thing I do when I’m in a hotel – get straight in the sauna. It rinses all the filth.” If you say so, Alex.
Blur are up against the Rolling Stones for the Alternative/Rock award, and I revealed how Blur frontman Damon Albarn had been spoiling for a fight after mocking the legends’ latest LP, Hackney Diamonds.
But Damon will be shadow boxing on the night, as the Stones will not be at the awards.
However I’m sure if Blur topple them, Damon will still be keen to make a point.
RYAN ON SONG AT OSCARS
RYAN GOSLING will be an unlikely performer at next month’s Oscars, despite it looking like Barbie will be trounced on the night.
It has been revealed that the actor, who starred in the box office hit last year, will sing his track I’m Just Ken at the star-studded ceremony.
Admitting she had been persuading him to do it, Margot Robbie previously said: “We’re poking Ryan whenever we can: ‘Do it. Come on. It’ll be fun.’
“I would love nothing more. That would make me – and the world – so happy.”
ROB IDEAS TO MAKE A FESTIVAL
THE cost of living is hitting us all hard and sadly tickets to festivals aren’t getting any cheaper either.
But Camp Bestival co-creator DJ Rob Da Bank, has come up with a clever new book which means you can create the magic of his family festival on the cheap in your own house.
Camp Bestival At Home, which goes on sale on May 23 for £20, features amazing ideas and recipes to create your event at home and is ideal for kids.
His pals DJ Fat Boy Slim, radio host Jo Whiley and singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor have also chipped in with their ideas.
It’s the same cost as two lagers and a packet of crisps at Glasto, so I’m looking forward to getting a copy.
You bin watching Corrie, Sydney?
ACTRESS Sydney Sweeney seemed to be channelling Corrie’s Deirdre Barlow as she hit New York in this pair of oversized specs.
But she still looked chic by teaming the big bins with a leather trench coat, shorts, boots and a turtleneck top.
Sydney has been promoting film Anyone But You with her co-star Glen Powell and it seems he’s not ready for their partnership to end.
At the SAG Awards in LA at the weekend, the actor said: “Sydney is so easy to work with. We’re trying to find the next thing.
“Send us all the scripts you got. We’re here for them.”
I’m here for her style choices but I’ll leave Deirdre’s glasses in Weatherfield where they belong . . .