Ariana Grande reflects on 'transformative' and 'challenging' year after divorce

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Ariana Grande is putting her 2023 worries behind her.

In a recent Instagram Story, the “Thank U, Next” singer looked back on her “challenging” year, which included a divorce and cheating rumors.

“One of the most transformative, challenging, yet happiest and most special years of my life,” she shared on her Instagram Story. “There were so many beautiful yet polarized feelings. I have never felt so exposed and accepting of what life wanted to teach me. I have never felt more fulfilled or present with my work or able to appreciate every moment.”

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The past year has brought many ups and downs for Grande, including starting filming on the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked” and divorcing her husband of two years, Dalton Gomez.

ARIANA GRANDE files for divorce from husband Dalton GOMEZ after two years of marriage

Ariana Grande is reflecting on a challenging year following her divorce from Dalton Gomez. (Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Shortly after she announced her divorce in September, rumors surfaced that she was in a relationship with her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater, known for his starring role in “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.” Sources told People magazine that the couple has been separated since the beginning of the year. However, the public only became aware of it when Grande was spotted without her ring at Wimbeldon in July.

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Along with the rumors that Grande and Slater were dating, speculation arose that the two began dating while they were still with their significant others. At this time, Slater was still married to Lilly Jay, with whom he has a son. Slater filed for divorce in July.

“I have never felt more pride, joy, or love while simultaneously feeling so deeply misunderstood by people who don't know me, who piece together whispers and make what they will of me and their assumptions about my life,” Grande wrote. “I learned how much more important one of these things is than the other.”

Through navigating these difficult times, Grande learned who is truly there for her and said she has “never felt more hugged or more protected by those who love and understand me.” She is committed to “just responding to things that deserve my energy and distancing and protecting myself from things that don’t.”

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Ariana Grande addressed cheating rumors after announcing her divorce. (David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

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Overall, Grande says she's learned a lot over the past year, not just from media speculation, but also from “every brilliant, beautiful soul” she's “had the privilege of creating art with.”

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“I am so eternally grateful for all the emotions I have been able to feel so deeply this year. Mine and Galinda’s alike,” Grande wrote. “The incredibly hard ones and the inexplicably lucky ones. I feel more human than ever. I feel deeper than ever before. I feel softer and stronger at the same time.”

She ended her message by wishing her followers a Happy New Year and asking them to remember “that it shall pass” and to know that if they “ever feel misunderstood or alone,” they are “so incredibly loved.” feel”.

Alongside Slater, Grande stars in Wicked with Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Bowen Yang.

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Ariana Grande stars in Wicked alongside Ethan Slater, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Bowen Yang. (Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Part one of “Wicked” is scheduled to hit theaters in November 2024.

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