Despite opting out of the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Ariana Grande paid close attention to the four-and-a-half-hour ceremony on Sunday night.
The Thank U, Next singer was nominated for two awards at the prestigious ceremony — her sixth overall. Fortunately for the 25-year-old, Sweetener (2018) won her the ‘Best Pop Vocal Album’ award and her first golden statue altogether.
Late rapper Mac Miller — who was Grande’s ex-boyfriend — was also honoured at the Grammys this year. His final studio album, Swimming (2018) was nominated under the ‘Best Rap Album’ category.
This was Miller’s first and unfortunately last-ever Grammy nomination. He was up against Cardi B, Travis Scott, Pusha T and Nipsey Hussle. His parents showed up to the ceremony on his behalf.
Cardi B, however, took home the trophy. Her smash-hit debut album Invasion of Privacy won her a first-ever Grammy Award, out of six nominations overall.
Grande made it clear she believed Miller was snubbed; immediately taking to Twitter with a series of rage-fueled tweets.
READ MORE: Ariana Grande drops ‘Thank U, Next’ album, and fans are losing their minds
“F**k,” Grande wrote, in one of many since-deleted posts. “Literal bulls**t.” “Trash.”
Many loyal Arianators were right by the singer’s side in agreement, while many others believed she was being unfair by targeting Cardi B.
The posts were deleted very quickly with Grande admitting she had nothing against Cardi B, she was just upset that Miller didn’t win the award. “Ariana isn’t shading Cardi, it’s because Mac didn’t win,” wrote one fan. “Nothing to do with her,” replied Grande. “Good for her. I promise, I’m sorry.”
“She’s not at all and that’s not what I meant. You know that,” replied the singer.
Grande added that she was upset with the Recording Academy for inviting Miller’s parents only to have their son lose the award. It was seen as a disrespectful act.
“Y’all invited Mac’s parents out and you didn’t give him an award?” asked a user. “Are y’all dumb?” they added towards the Grammy’s producers.
The Bang Bang singer addressed this tweet and replied, “This is what I meant. Karen was gonna have a green suit made.”
Unfortunately for Grande, she received an influx of hateful tweets — many from the likes of dedicated Cardi B fans.
Following a few minutes of crying onstage, Cardi B took to Instagram to properly thank her fans and everybody that was involved with the making of Invasion of Privacy.
READ MORE: Cardi B causes social media storm in her 2019 Grammys red carpet gown
The 26-year old Best Day Ever singer died on Sept. 7. The cause of death was revealed to be an accidental drug overdose in early November.
He was very open throughout his career about his struggle with sobriety in both his music and with the press.
Miller is remembered by many as one of the greats in both performance and hip-hop producing. His legacy lives through his music, and now in the Mac Miller Circles Fund (MMCF), where his ideas of activism can become a reality.
READ MORE: Grammy Awards 2019: Full list of winners
Although an altercation between Grande and the Grammy’s producers led to the cancellation of her appearance and potential performance, the singer showed her gratitude for winning her first Grammy award over Twitter.
She also revealed to the world the dress she was planning on wearing.
As of this writing, Cardi B has not addressed Grande’s comments.
Grande did, however, share her support on the rapper’s post. She wrote a series of hearts as her way of congratulating the fellow Grammy winner.
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Just last week, Grande released her fifth album, Thank U, Next (2019). It became a global phenomenon and trending topic in only a matter of hours.
She will be returning to the stage this spring to celebrate her two latest albums, Sweetener (2018) and of course, Thank U, Next. The world tour will commence with a 42-date leg across North America, spanning from March to June.
Tickets for the Sweetener tour can be purchased through the official Ariana Grande website.
‘Sweetener’ 2019 Canadian tour dates
April 1 — Montreal, Que. — Bell Centre
April 3 — Toronto, Ont. — Scotiabank Arena
April 25 — Edmonton, Alta. — Rogers Place
April 27 — Vancouver, B.C. — Rogers Arena
You can find the full list of Grammy winners and nominees in the main categories here.