Ariana Grande is saying "thank u, next" to anyone with something to say about her romance with Wicked Costar Ethan Slater. 

The pop sensation recently (Feb. 26) appeared on the Zach Sang Show to open up about the complexities of navigating public life, particularly in light of her relationship with Slater. Despite the harsh media attention, Grande stressed that she wants to stay above the hateful comments and rumors. 

Grande shared her insights into the selective memory and biases of tabloid culture, a complex issue within the entertainment industry. Tabloids play a significant role in shaping public perceptions and discourse. However, they thrive on scandal, gossip, and entertainment – often at the expense of privacy and factual accuracy. This culture not only influences the priorities of media consumption, but also impacts societal values, blurring the lines between news and entertainment. 

"We selectively remember that this is what the tabloids do to people, especially women, based on whether or not we like the person," she told the outlet. "We selectively remember that. We selectively leave space for humanness, for nuance. Like, they don't leave space for that – well, they do for their friends and their family. It's selective. But they turn it off when that aligns with the version of a person that they have in their head that they want to believe is true." 

The chart-topping artist continued to express the overwhelming challenge of addressing every rumor, focusing instead on the broader issue of misrepresentation.

"I feel like we don't need to go into specifics," said Grande. "But of course, there's an insatiable frustration, inexplicable, hellish feeling with watching people misunderstand the people you love, and you and anything," she added. 

Her concerns extend to her upcoming album, Eternal Sunshine, which will be released on March 8. She fears that her vulnerable songwriting will inadvertently fuel further speculation. 

The record will reflect her tumultuous year, including her split from ex-husband Dalton Gomez. Following the shocking breakup, she went public with Slater, sparking infidelity rumors. Once speculation began to swirl, a close source clapped back against the claims that they cheated on their respective partners. 

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"Ariana and Ethan recently started dating. They have a lot in common and have a lot of fun," an insider told Entertainment Tonight. "They didn't start dating until both were broken up with their significant others. Ariana and Dalton remain friends." 

According to Grande, the collection navigates the fine line between personal truth and artistic concept. 

"Pieces of it touch on things that are real, and then pieces of it are also just like…part of the concept," she explained about the songwriting process. "So what is that separation? And it's so scary to leave it up to these selective memory people to decipher. It's scary. But I digress. It's too late. The vinyls have been printed." 

Although she may recieve potential backlash, grande expressed gratitude for the support of friends, family, and fans, who have provided a sense of safety and understanding amidst the challenges. "I have never felt more tightly held or fiercely protected," she said, underscoring the importance of focusing on what truly matters and conserving her energy for the deserving aspects of her life.

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Just a day after the eye-opening interview, Grande revealed (Feb. 27) the highly anticipated track list. The hitmaker turned to social media to share a video that displayed each song on the collection, and lyrics that were scribbled in the margins. 

The project includes 13 songs, including one with her grandmother titled "Ordinary Things." Eternal Sunshine is Grande's first album since 2020. Are you excited about new music from Grande? Let us know your Fan Of View below. 

Photo Credit: @arianagrande on Instagram.