Ariana Grande releases details of 'terrifyingly personal' upcoming track 'Imagine'
She only released album 'Sweetener' a few months ago!
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 12th Dec 2018
Ariana Grande may have only released her fourth album 'Sweetener' in August this year, but it doesn't look like she's taking a break any time soon. The 25-year-old, who has been through two incredibly tough years, released single 'thank u, next' in November - and is already teasing details of a brand new single which will be released tomorrow (13th Dec).
The single, entitled 'Imagine', was announced by Ariana Grande on Twitter yesterday (11th Dec) after she simply tweeted, ''imagine' thursday night' - which of course, sent fans wild, considering she only released the fantastic music video for 'thank u, next' less than two weeks ago.
Whilst 'thank u, next' was a tribute to her ex-boyfriends - including ex-fiancé Pete Davidson, who she was engaged to for three months before calling it off in October - Ariana has revealed what her new single will be about.
A fan account tweeted a photo of what was presumably a tweet written by Ariana, which read, 'A lot of this album mourns failed yet important, beautiful relationships in my life (as well as celebrates growth / exploring new independence). But for those of you asking about imagine: I would say if 'thank u, next' = acceptance... 'imagine' = denial. Hope that makes sense.' sic
The account tweeted the screenshot alongside the message, 'So imagine is like a darker version of “thank u, next”. Possibly explaining about what’s next after a breakup and how to get through it.' sic
Ariana then replied to the tweet to clarify what she'd meant, writing, 'Kind of like... pretending it never ended. denial. but i look forward to you hearing it and having your own experience with it. you may take away something totally different and specific to your life! love u.' sic
Swipe through to see which exes Ariana Grande is talking about on 'thank u, next' - and which she isn't...
Ariana Grande and Graham Phillips (2008-2011)
Ariana and Graham met at 15 years old when they were both starring in the Broadway production of 13: The Musical. They dated for three years and released a song called Stick Around together in 2010. Ari continued the trend of duetting with partners later in her career, but more on that later.
Is he on thank u, next? Nah, mate.
Ariana Grande releases details of 'terrifyingly personal' upcoming track 'Imagine'
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Herself. YAAAS.
In thank u, next Ariana serves some unapologetic feminism as she claims she's now in a relationship with herself. YAS, queen.
Ariana Grande and Graham Phillips (2008-2011)
Ariana and Graham met at 15 years old when they were both starring in the Broadway production of 13: The Musical. They dated for three years and released a song called Stick Around together in 2010. Ari continued the trend of duetting with partners later in her career, but more on that later.
Is he on thank u, next? Nah, mate.
Ariana Grande and Jai Brooks (2012-2014)
Ariana dated Jai Brooks - a member of Australian prank-pop band The Janoskians - between 2012 and 2014. Things didn't end on good terms, though; as Jai accused Ariana of cheating on him with The Wanted's Nathan Sykes very publicly on Twitter. Ariana denied the claims, before the pair briefly got back together for a couple of months in 2014.
Is he on thank u, next? Nope.
Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes (2014)
Following that Jai Brooks drama, Ari and Nathan got together as they collaborated on the track Almost is Never Enough; taken from her debut album. The pair split just months later, with many reports claiming Ari wrote Break Your Heart Right Back about the split.
The pair are still on good terms and released a second duet - Over and Over Again - in 2016.
Is he on thank u, next? No, but he's fine with it. In an interview with TMZ Nathan explained it's 'good' he didn't get a mention, whatever that means.
Ariana Grande and Big Sean (2014-2015)
Ariana and Big Sean made their public debut on the GRAMMY red carpet in 2015. Much like Nathan and Ari, the pair have two duets together; 2013's Right There and 2014's Best Mistake. The couple reportedly split due to busy schedules, but they remain 'good friends' and Ari confirmed he heard thank u, next ahead of its release.
Is he on thank u, next? Yep, the opening line 'thought I'd end up with Sean, but it wasn't a match' is about him.
Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez (2015-2016)
Following her split from Big Sean Ariana dated one of her dancers, Ricky Alvarez, for a year. He's the guy she's hanging out with in that infamous doughnut shop video, remember? Neither party have explained the cause of the split, but they remain on good terms.
Is he on thank u, next? Yup. The line 'wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh' refers to many tracks on her 2016 album Dangerous Woman; including Knew Better/Forever Boy. He's cool with it, though; taking to his Instagram story to praise both Ariana and the track.
Ariana Grande and Mac Miller (2016-2018)
Ariana dated the late Mac Miller (real name Malcolm McCormick) from 2016-2018. The pair originally collaborated on her debut single The Way back in 2013 and released another track - My Favourite Part - in 2016. Mac famously supported Ariana at her One Love Manchester concert in 2017 following the Manchester Arena terror attack and split earlier this year after she debuted No Tears Left to Cry at Coachella. Mac tragically passed away on 7th September 2018, and Ariana has since paid tribute to the rapper.
Is he on thank u, next? Ariana describes Mac as an 'angel' on the track in a fitting tribute to the late star.
Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson (2018)
Ariana and SNL comedian Pete Davidson proved the whirlwind romance of 2018. Just weeks after getting together, the pair announced their engagement in June 2018. The pair split in October 2018 but remain on good terms.
Pete addressed their break-up on SNL, saying: "The truth is, it's nobody's business. Sometimes things just don't work out. She's a wonderful strong person and I wish her all the happiness in the world."
Is he on thank u, next? Yep. 'Even almost got married, and for Pete I'm so thankful' is obviously about their whirlwind romance.
Herself. YAAAS.
In thank u, next Ariana serves some unapologetic feminism as she claims she's now in a relationship with herself. YAS, queen.
Ariana Grande and Graham Phillips (2008-2011)
Ariana and Graham met at 15 years old when they were both starring in the Broadway production of 13: The Musical. They dated for three years and released a song called Stick Around together in 2010. Ari continued the trend of duetting with partners later in her career, but more on that later.
Is he on thank u, next? Nah, mate.
Ariana Grande and Jai Brooks (2012-2014)
Ariana dated Jai Brooks - a member of Australian prank-pop band The Janoskians - between 2012 and 2014. Things didn't end on good terms, though; as Jai accused Ariana of cheating on him with The Wanted's Nathan Sykes very publicly on Twitter. Ariana denied the claims, before the pair briefly got back together for a couple of months in 2014.
Is he on thank u, next? Nope.
Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes (2014)
Following that Jai Brooks drama, Ari and Nathan got together as they collaborated on the track Almost is Never Enough; taken from her debut album. The pair split just months later, with many reports claiming Ari wrote Break Your Heart Right Back about the split.
The pair are still on good terms and released a second duet - Over and Over Again - in 2016.
Is he on thank u, next? No, but he's fine with it. In an interview with TMZ Nathan explained it's 'good' he didn't get a mention, whatever that means.
Ariana Grande and Big Sean (2014-2015)
Ariana and Big Sean made their public debut on the GRAMMY red carpet in 2015. Much like Nathan and Ari, the pair have two duets together; 2013's Right There and 2014's Best Mistake. The couple reportedly split due to busy schedules, but they remain 'good friends' and Ari confirmed he heard thank u, next ahead of its release.
Is he on thank u, next? Yep, the opening line 'thought I'd end up with Sean, but it wasn't a match' is about him.
Ariana Grande and Ricky Alvarez (2015-2016)
Following her split from Big Sean Ariana dated one of her dancers, Ricky Alvarez, for a year. He's the guy she's hanging out with in that infamous doughnut shop video, remember? Neither party have explained the cause of the split, but they remain on good terms.
Is he on thank u, next? Yup. The line 'wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh' refers to many tracks on her 2016 album Dangerous Woman; including Knew Better/Forever Boy. He's cool with it, though; taking to his Instagram story to praise both Ariana and the track.
Ariana Grande and Mac Miller (2016-2018)
Ariana dated the late Mac Miller (real name Malcolm McCormick) from 2016-2018. The pair originally collaborated on her debut single The Way back in 2013 and released another track - My Favourite Part - in 2016. Mac famously supported Ariana at her One Love Manchester concert in 2017 following the Manchester Arena terror attack and split earlier this year after she debuted No Tears Left to Cry at Coachella. Mac tragically passed away on 7th September 2018, and Ariana has since paid tribute to the rapper.
Is he on thank u, next? Ariana describes Mac as an 'angel' on the track in a fitting tribute to the late star.
Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson (2018)
Ariana and SNL comedian Pete Davidson proved the whirlwind romance of 2018. Just weeks after getting together, the pair announced their engagement in June 2018. The pair split in October 2018 but remain on good terms.
Pete addressed their break-up on SNL, saying: "The truth is, it's nobody's business. Sometimes things just don't work out. She's a wonderful strong person and I wish her all the happiness in the world."
Is he on thank u, next? Yep. 'Even almost got married, and for Pete I'm so thankful' is obviously about their whirlwind romance.
Herself. YAAAS.
In thank u, next Ariana serves some unapologetic feminism as she claims she's now in a relationship with herself. YAS, queen.
Another fan then asked just how personal Ariana would be getting on 'Imagine', to which she replied, 'Terrifyingly so. like i want to take things off. but my friends tell me not to', admitting that it's 'very special' to her. sic
Although she may have suffered through some terrible tragedies over the past few years, she's had some fantastic achievements this year alone - her iconic video for 'thank u, next' broke a world record, and she won Billboard's Woman of the Year Award just last week.
You can hear Ariana Grande's biggest hits on the Downtown Radio playlist.
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