Ariana Grande Reflects on Late Mac Miller's Lasting Impact: "He Helped Me Find My Voice"

In a rare and emotional insight, Ariana Grande discusses her early career and the profound impact of her late ex-boyfriend and colleague, Mac Miller. Speaking at a recent master class, the pop sensation described how Miller encouraged her to embrace a louder, more soulful sound while she was still getting her footing in the business, helping to mold her artistic direction at a critical juncture. After years of chart-topping songs and international success, Ariana now views their creative collaboration and personal connection as one of the key factors that shaped her into the artist she is today.

Finding Her Sound—and Her Confidence

During a master class at Chapman University, the 32-year-old singer Ariana Grande shared a rare, deeply personal reflection on the late rapper Mac Miller—revealing just how instrumental he was in shaping her musical identity. Grande claimed that instead of adhering solely to mainstream music, Miller urged her to "do the brave thing" by adopting a pop style influenced by R&B. 

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She remembered being so young in her career that she was still getting her footings, and Miller's faith in her gave her self-assurance. "That's also a part of why I was so eager to ask him to be a part of it," she explained, referring to their collaboration on 2013's 'The Way.'

Their song 'The Way,' which was included on her debut album 'Yours Truly,' turned out to be a pivotal moment. The song became her and Mac Miller's first top-ten smash when it shot to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Ariana's new direction—a blend of pop sensibilities and soulful, R&B-tinged vocals—was validated by that success, which also brought her to mainstream listeners. She expressed her gratitude to Miller for helping her uncover the sound that would characterize much of her early work, saying that she was "very thankful" for the effect.

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Collaboration, Romance, and Creative Chemistry

After 'The Way,' Ariana and Mac continued their musical collaboration. In 2016, they collaborated again on his song 'My Favorite Part,' and also worked together on a remix of Ariana's hit 'Into You.' hey also remixed Ariana's popular song 'Into You.' Eventually, their artistic synergy developed into a romantic partnership. In September 2016, around three years after the release of 'The Way,' the two announced their relationship to the public.

They supported each other both personally and creatively, and their relationship appeared sincere and productive. The impact of their time together persisted even after they broke up in April 2018. Grande openly lamented Miller's death when he accidentally overdosed in September 2018 at the age of 26. She later referred to Miller as her "dearest friend" and "the kindest, sweetest soul." 

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Over the years, she has honored his memory in multiple ways—through tributes, lyrical references (notably in her song "thank u, next"), and heartfelt public statements. 

Gratitude, Growth—and the Lasting Impact

Looking back in 2025, Ariana expressed thanks as well as an awareness of how much that early partnership with Mac influenced the basis of her career. She admitted that without his support, she might not have had the guts to include R&B elements into her songs or to take the artistic chances that proved essential to her craft.

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With seven studio albums to her name, Ariana has developed into one of the most successful pop-R&B performers in the world over the years. Each record echoes the early sound she created with Miller by fusing pop and R&B. But beyond commercial success, her recent reflections show a deeper respect—a recognition that some of her success was built not just on talent or hard work, but also on the kindness, vision, and musical passion of a friend and collaborator who believed in her when she was still finding her way. 

By paying tribute to him now, she commemorates a period of her life that shaped her identity as an artist.

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