Ariana Grande named 'Woman of the Year' by Billboard

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By VT

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Ariana Grande has had a remarkable year. Her fourth album, Sweetener, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, spawning the hit singles No Tears Left To Cry and God Is A Woman. Also, the song Sweetener taught us all the importance of "licking the bowl." (It doesn't mean what you think it means.) And who could forget her viral appearances on talk shows, performing incredible tributes to the movie Titanic and the late 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin?

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/billboard/status/1059825090274230272]]

Today Billboard named the 25-year-old singer 'Woman of the Year' for 2018. (Sorry, Kim Kardashian, you came so close!) On December 6th, Ari will be presented with the award at the 13th annual Women in Music dinner and awards gala in New York. She joins a long list of iconic winners including Madonna, Taylor Swift, Lady GaGa and Selena Gomez. There's no word yet on if she'll attend the event rocking her trademark "high ponytail," but the country waits with bated breath.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1059829483090337792]]

"Ariana Grande is a star on her own terms, never bending to any particular musical trend or path in the industry," stated Ross Scarano, Billboard's vice president of content. "Certain in her convictions, she consistently stands up for herself and her decisions in a world that often isn't hospitable to that sort of strength in young women. She's got guts, she's making some of the best music of her career, and she's absolutely deserving of Woman of the Year."

On Twitter, Ariana thanked Billboard for the honor, a much-needed splash of good news after a tumultuous couple of months. On September 7, the singer's ex-boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, tragically died of an accidental overdose at the age of 26. On Instagram, she shared a candid video of the late hip-hop artist, with a touching caption:

"I adored you from the day I met you when i was nineteen 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. 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 okay now. Rest."

Shortly afterward, Ariana broke up with her boyfriend, comedian and Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson. Their whirlwind summer romance captured the internet's attention. Fans obsessed over every flirty Instagram comment and rumored detail about their lightning-quick engagement. But sadly, their relationship didn't last, and they're already covering up their tattoos.

It's pretty rough to endure the death of an ex, and a split from a fiancee, within a span of two months. But as Billboard said, Ari's "got guts." In year full of professional success and personal turmoil, she's proven herself to be strong.

Ariana Grande named 'Woman of the Year' by Billboard

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

Ariana Grande has had a remarkable year. Her fourth album, Sweetener, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, spawning the hit singles No Tears Left To Cry and God Is A Woman. Also, the song Sweetener taught us all the importance of "licking the bowl." (It doesn't mean what you think it means.) And who could forget her viral appearances on talk shows, performing incredible tributes to the movie Titanic and the late 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin?

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/billboard/status/1059825090274230272]]

Today Billboard named the 25-year-old singer 'Woman of the Year' for 2018. (Sorry, Kim Kardashian, you came so close!) On December 6th, Ari will be presented with the award at the 13th annual Women in Music dinner and awards gala in New York. She joins a long list of iconic winners including Madonna, Taylor Swift, Lady GaGa and Selena Gomez. There's no word yet on if she'll attend the event rocking her trademark "high ponytail," but the country waits with bated breath.

[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1059829483090337792]]

"Ariana Grande is a star on her own terms, never bending to any particular musical trend or path in the industry," stated Ross Scarano, Billboard's vice president of content. "Certain in her convictions, she consistently stands up for herself and her decisions in a world that often isn't hospitable to that sort of strength in young women. She's got guts, she's making some of the best music of her career, and she's absolutely deserving of Woman of the Year."

On Twitter, Ariana thanked Billboard for the honor, a much-needed splash of good news after a tumultuous couple of months. On September 7, the singer's ex-boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, tragically died of an accidental overdose at the age of 26. On Instagram, she shared a candid video of the late hip-hop artist, with a touching caption:

"I adored you from the day I met you when i was nineteen 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. 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 okay now. Rest."

Shortly afterward, Ariana broke up with her boyfriend, comedian and Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson. Their whirlwind summer romance captured the internet's attention. Fans obsessed over every flirty Instagram comment and rumored detail about their lightning-quick engagement. But sadly, their relationship didn't last, and they're already covering up their tattoos.

It's pretty rough to endure the death of an ex, and a split from a fiancee, within a span of two months. But as Billboard said, Ari's "got guts." In year full of professional success and personal turmoil, she's proven herself to be strong.