Over the weekend, Ariana Grande dropped her first single since her album Sweetener and her split from ex-fiancé Pete Davidson. The two have not quite spoken about the breakup to the media–except Davidson's poorly timed jokes on Saturday Night Live. Grande, who caught wind of him mocking their split, called him out on social media for “trying to stay relevant.”
Additionally, she tweeted “thank u, next,” after her subtweet to Davidson, which fans took as a petty clap-back.
However, it happens to be the title of her new single–which discusses her breakup with Davidson, and several other of her exes, including the late rapper Mac Miller. In the pettiest move of the year, Grande dropped the single 30 minutes before SNL went live on air–showing up her ex and his comedy career. If you look at how many fans stan Ariana Grande and wait anxiously for her new music compared to how many Pete Davidson fans sit around waiting for SNL–the numbers don't lie. Grande clearly made a power move.
thank u……. next ? https://t.co/UHmQO5l8LQ pic.twitter.com/UT9FAmwdPH
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 4, 2018
Grande's new song touches on multiple exes–not just Davidson and Mac Miller. In fact, the entire first verse calls out men she thought she'd end up with but didn't.
This right here my fucking heart ? pic.twitter.com/0UVVTXj98u
— Edgar Rodriguez (@itmeedgar) November 4, 2018
Fans immediately began to freak out and praise Grande for being so transparent in a song for them. Many were also touched that she posed such a sweet shout out to her ex, Mac Miller (Malcolm), who died of a drug overdose this year.
@ArianaGrande i never knew i needed something so much as much as this ? HER MOST PERSONAL SONG EVER I LOVE YOU QUEEN pic.twitter.com/fhHV0E5vZi
— randy anthony (@randycanthonyy) November 4, 2018
literally got back from school to see that @ArianaGrande put up the new song. i literally cried 20 seconds in. im absolutely in love, and i can tell she bout to stunt on us with her GROWTH. x
— ناتاليا ? (@lmlynat) November 4, 2018
And i’m so fucking grateful for her made this song #ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/iEH0tW1oma
— fhfufuuu (@fahlstt) November 4, 2018
“Wish I could say thank you to Malcolm, ‘cause he was an angel.” — ‘thank u, next’ by Ariana Grande
FUCK MA THAT SHIT HURTED pic.twitter.com/f6GCYOi8JU
— rose ? (@dracogifs) November 4, 2018
@ArianaGrande this is the best omg! your audacity! i love it pic.twitter.com/F1mGzF76bt
— thank u, next ☁ (@sheldonluvs) November 4, 2018
“Wish I could say thank you to Malcom cause he was an angel” #ariana #thankunext pic.twitter.com/GgT2GdZcqW
— Wilmarie Diaz (@wilmarie_diaz) November 4, 2018
Ariana grande really about to drop a song right before SNL tonight bc Pete Davidson made a joke about their breakup in the promo….this is the shit i live for. Ily ari
— Lindsy Tortorice (@LindsyyTee) November 4, 2018
I’m a few hours late to the party but god damn. I love @ArianaGrande so much. #ThankUNext is perfect.
— Frosty’s sugar baby ☃️ (@itsgurrett) November 4, 2018
ariana grande falling in love with herself is the greatest love story of all time
— mia (@onelovesbutera) November 4, 2018
Ariana Grande: “Wish i could say thank you to Malcolm cause he was an angel”
me: pic.twitter.com/c8upNkqYMd
— rnariana (@rnariana) November 4, 2018
Honestly, @ArianaGrande deserves a Nobel Prize for somehow making #ThankUNext the sweetest breakup song of all time while directly mentioning all her exes by name.
Queen of the high road.
— Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold) November 4, 2018
Omg! @ArianaGrande this is amazing! Such a powerful & positive song about past relationships, how we all take something away from each one we have & even though you breakup you can still be grateful! You are a Queen ?❤️? #ThankUNext pic.twitter.com/NTB5L3elqa
— Kirsty May Whittaker (@MayWhittaker) November 4, 2018
Instead of creating drama or being shady, the queen is making bank over her breakup in a positive light and that is what we call a LEGEND @ArianaGrande
— Ivanka1220 (@Ivanka12201) November 4, 2018
ariana was really out-did herself, this is the most beautiful & loving song I’ve heard. She mentioned her ex’s and that she’s grateful for them even mac, and when she did I literally cried. I’m so grateful to be living in the same generation as Ariana Grande, bye ily ? pic.twitter.com/Zm7onBYvAy
— -????????♡ ??????, ???? (@arixeverytime) November 4, 2018
@ArianaGrande you when you made thank u, next climax from breakups to self love pic.twitter.com/7QYkhEINEm
— ✧・゚:*✧*:・゚✧ 210 (@ntltcami) November 4, 2018
Ms Ariana Grande snapped! #ThankUNext pic.twitter.com/IpFcJK32R2
— aombo (@blackaombo) November 4, 2018
thank you next is so beautiful! It’s honestly no drag no tea no shade , just pure honesty and feelings !! My heart I’m so proud and happy for Ari ? @ArianaGrande
— ʎɹɐɯ (@MaRIH_Zacharia) November 4, 2018
@ArianaGrande been listening to it Since it came out. What a filucking bop pic.twitter.com/CetkyUp1Wa
— ᴬᴿᵀᴴᵁᴿ (@swxxtxnerboi) November 4, 2018
Miss Ariana Grande really fucking did that huh? #ThankUNext pic.twitter.com/p5xpJkGEFr
— h (@istanra) November 4, 2018
This part. Right here. Im so proud @ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/TgZBfdM70t
— ☾ (@heessalm) November 4, 2018
@ArianaGrande I’m so fuckin grateful for my ex #ThankUNext ari is a fuckin queen period pic.twitter.com/0vBk1kVq6c
— Kennie morales (@morales_kennie) November 4, 2018
@ArianaGrande I’m living for #ThankYouNext you’ve conveyed the message perfectly and it somehow uplifts me and makes me sad at the same time! it’s amazing?❤️ #ArianaGrande pic.twitter.com/heM4Z2VA2u
— layla? (@laylaeastwood) November 4, 2018
Davidson, while not mentioning the song, did mention the breakup on SNL on Saturday. The comedian simply said:
“It's nobody's business and sometimes things just don't work out. And that's okay.”
She's a wonderful, strong person and I genuinely wish her all of the happiness in the world.
Now, please go vote on Tuesday, all right?”
While Davidson is finally acting somewhat mature, we know Grande is bringing in the $$$ with this breakup, her new single, and a brand new attitude.