Ariana Grande Addresses "Assumptions" About Her Life After "Challenging" Year

Ariana Grande is saying "Thank U, Next" to 2023.

While looking back on her year—one that included her divorce from Dalton Gomez, as well as the debut of her romance with Wicked costar Ethan Slater—the "Break Free" singer addressed misconceptions about her.

"One of the most transformative, most challenging, and yet happiest and most special years of my life," she began her Dec. 29 message, posted to Instagram Story. "There were so many beautiful yet polarized feelings. I've never felt more at the mercy of and in acceptance of what life was screaming to teach me. I've never felt more fulfilled by or present in my work, being able to cherish every moment."

The 30-year-old went on to note that she gave everything to the projects she worked on this year and learned so much from her collaborators.

And although she's celebrating her triumphs, Grande is also reflecting on commentary from strangers.

As she shared, "I've never felt more pride or joy or love while simultaneously feeling so deeply misunderstood by people who don't know me, who piece whispers together and make what they want out of me and their assumptions of my life."

"I have learned how much more important one of those things is than the other," she added. "I have never felt more tightly held or fiercely protected by those who love and understand me (friends, family, and fans alike)."

Grande also acknowledged her personal growth, sharing that she now feels safe in situations she'd normally be fearful of.

"I am listening to and trusting myself, even when fear or trauma tells me not to," she continued. "I am reacting to things that deserve my energy only and removing and protecting myself from things that do not."

Grande, who will portray Glinda in the Wicked films, also noted that she's grateful for the range of emotions she felt this year.

That includes the "unfathomably hard ones and the inexplicably happy ones," she told her fans, adding that she feels more human than ever.

"I feel softer and stronger," she wrote, "all at once."

Grande, who's been working on new music, concluded her message with one final note about the future: "I cannot wait for next year."

As Grande enters a new chapter in her personal life, keep reading to see more 2023 celebrity breakups...

Hare today, gone tomorrow.

The model and the Puerto Rican artist both seemed to like it while it lasted, but People reported Dec. 17 that they were no longer a couple after about nine months of dating.

The parents of daughter Kulture and son Wave had their share of ups and downs since marrying in 2017, including a temporary breakup the following year and a divorce filing in 2020 that Cardi ultimately quashed.

But on Dec. 11, the "Up" artist indicated that she and Offset were done—for now or for good remains anyone's guess.

The Queer Eye star's rep announced on Nov. 22 that the food and drink expert and brand strategy director had ended their one-year engagement and four-year relationship.

OK, this may not technically be a 2023 breakup but only on Oct. 20 did we find out that the three-time Oscar winner and her artist husband had been separated for six years.

A rep for Streep noted in confirming the split, "While they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart."

The parents of Henry, Mamie, Grace and Louisa tied the knot in 1978.

The Oscar-winning actress confirmed her split from the sports commentator on Oct. 19.

"I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception," she wrote in part on Instagram. "I am choosing to face the pain, cultivating the courage to meet my life exactly as it is, and trusting that this too shall pass."

The "I Could Use a Love Song" singer could've used something a little sadder after filing to end her marriage of five years on Oct. 2.

But Morris is hardly alone, as she reminded during a Dec. 13 appearance on The Howard Stern Show. "I think this year has—for a lot of people, not just me—a lot of people that are close to me have gone through it," the artist said. "I've known so many people that have gone through breakups or divorces."

The soccer stars—who are parents to Sloane and Ocean—broke up after nearly four years of marriage. According to online court records obtained by E! News, Ashlyn filed for divorce from Ali on Sept. 19 in Florida's Seminole County.

The singer confirmed on Instagram Sept. 17 that she and the former NBA star "are separated and have been for a while."

She added, "To be 1000% clear, 'infidelity' ain’t one of the reasons for our departure."

The pair are separating after 27 years of marriage, they told People Sept. 15.

The Jonas Brothers singer filed for divorce from the Game of Thrones alum on Sept. 5, writing that their four-year marriage is "irretrievably broken" in court documents obtained by E! News. 

The Summer House stars shocked fans in August when they reportedly called off their engagement just two and a half months before their Nov. 17 wedding in Mexico. 

The One Tree Hill star reportedly filed for divorce from the entrepreneur in August, one year after they tied the knot in his home state of Oklahoma.

The pair split just months after welcoming son Leodis Andrellton Jackson, multiple outlets reported in August.

The pop star and actor broke up after one year of marriage, multiple outlets reported Aug.16.

The rose wilted for the Bachelor Nation couple after four years together.

"We feel grateful to be ending our engagement with love and respect for each other," Jason wrote on Insatgram Aug. 6. "It's heartbreaking and sad to say goodbye, but our care and admiration for one another will never die."

The Canadian Prime Minster announced on Aug 2. that he and his wife decided to separate after 18 years of marriage.

The Bodies Bodies Bodies costars reportedly broke up in August after less than a year of dating.

The supermodel amicably split with her boyfriend after two years of dating, a source told E! News in July.

The Euphoria costars called it quits after more than a year together, with Dominic confirming in July that he was single. As he told Apple Music, "I'm just done being in relationships right now."

The mom of Beyoncé and Solange filed for divorce from the actor on July 26 after eight years of marriage. 

"Yes, a few months ago Rosi and I ended our engagement," Rauw Alejandro wrote in Spanish on Instagram Stories July 26. "There are thousands of problems that could cause a breakup, but in our case it was not due to third parties or infidelity."

The Growing Up Chrisley star and the influencer broke up nine months after their October 2022 engagement. "Everybody has been asking a lot of questions regarding Emmy and myself," Chase wrote on his Instagram Story July 25. "We both and [sic] agreed to part ways and move on with our lives separately. Thank you for respecting our privacy."

"We have made the difficult decision to divorce," the pair said in a joint statement to Page Six July 17. "As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives."

After two years of marriage, the singer and real estate agent separated, E! News confirmed.

The Bear star and Californication actress split up in May 2023 after a little more than three years of marriage.

The couple called it quits after 18 years of marriage, with a rep for the Yellowstone star telling E! News in May, "It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action."

After 11 years of marriage, The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum filed for divorce from the former NFL player in May 2023.

In the divorce proceedings, Kim—who shares Kroy Jr., 11, Kash, 10, and 9-year-old twins Kane and Kaia with Kroy, and is also mom to Brielle, 25, and Ariana, 21—is also requesting primary physical custody of the kids and joint legal custody.

They called off the divorce in July but Kroy refiled in August.

Six months after the duo sparked romance rumors, a source confirmed to E! News in May that the singer and the music producer broke up.

In April, the singer filed legal paperwork to request full physical custody and joint legal custody their son Ender, who she welcomed with the film producer in 2021. "The split was amicable," an insider told E! News at the time, "and they plan to co-parent." 

The country singer and his wife of two years announced their breakup on April 21, noting at the time that as "we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year."

However, after the two welcomed the third child—son Cohen Ace James—on Sept. 27, a rep for Jimmie told People that duo "decided to work on things together and are still together."