Ariana Grande shares rare Mac Miller admission 7 years after his death

Ariana Grande has issued rare comments about her late ex, Mac Miller, seven years after his tragic death.

For those who need a reminder, the Wicked: For Good star, 32, dated the rapper from 2016 until 2018, just months before his death at 26 years old.

Miller, real name Malcolm McCormick, heartbreakingly passed away on 7 September, 2018, from an accidental drug overdose.

At the time, Grande wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute: "I adored you from the day I met you when I was 19 and I always will. I can’t believe you aren’t here anymore. I really can’t wrap my head around it. We talked about this.

"So many times. I’m so mad, I’m so sad, I don’t know what to do. You were my dearest friend. For so long. Above anything else."

Ariana Grande has opened up about how her late ex Mac Miller influenced her music (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

She added: "I’m so sorry I couldn’t fix or take your pain away. I really wanted to. The kindest, sweetest soul with demons he never deserved. I hope you’re OK now. Rest."

Since then, aside from a few interviews, her comments about the late musician have been rare as she grieved the loss in private.

However, Grande heartwarmingly explained how Miller influenced her music during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter for a live MasterClass held at Chapman University in California earlier this month.

She explained how he encouraged her to 'make R&B influenced pop music' and 'do the brave thing'.

In a clip that's gone viral on TikTok, the interviewer said to Grande: "The first single that anyone heard from that album [Yours Truly]," to which she responded: "It was 'The Way'," prompting a huge cheer from the crowd.

'The Way' was a song she and Miller collaborated on and proved to be a huge hit for them both.

Grande continued: "That's why I was so eager to ask him to be a part of it. Not only because he was perfect for the song but I also felt like I had him to thank for finding my sound."

She explained how he helped her 'do the brave thing' (Savion Washington/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

She added: "I've never said that."

In addition to 'The Way', the pair also teamed up for Miller's 2016 song 'My Favorite Part' and the 2016 remix of Grande's track 'Into You'.

Although her comments are rare, this isn't the first time Grande has publicly opened up on her grief following Miller's death.

In 2019, the singer told Vogue: "By no means was what we had perfect, but, like, f**k. He was the best person ever, and he didn't deserve the demons he had.

"I was the glue for such a long time, and I found myself becoming... less and less sticky. The pieces just started to float away."

And in 2023, she also paid tribute to Miller while celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut album Yours Truly.

As per MailOnline, Grande reshared the music video to her Instagram Story and wrote in tiny font at the bottom: "I love you."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.