Ariana Grande Shares How 'Time and Therapy' Helped Her Reconnect with Old Music
Ariana Grande recently shared how “time and therapy” have helped her reconnect with and appreciate her older music.
During an appearance on Hot Ones that aired on Thursday, host Sean Evans asked Ariana if there were any songs in her catalog she would consider retiring if fans didn’t insist on hearing them.
Ariana admitted that performing certain tracks can be challenging, especially those tied to stressful periods in her life. “There was a time when it was hard for me to feel the same gratitude I do now for some songs because they were linked to stressful times,” she explained. “Becoming a pop star at 19 or 20 is crazy, and those experiences were intertwined with the music for me.
But with time and therapy, I’ve been able to re-embrace them. Now, I feel proud and happy when I hear those songs, whereas before, they might have made me cry.”
She also fondly recalled working with producer Max Martin on her 2014 hit “Break Free.” Ariana shared, “I was younger and resisted doing the intonation on ‘say I don’t want ya,’ but Max insisted it needed to be sharp and almost annoying.
I finally did it his way, and that’s what made it to the record. I’m grateful because it made the song so much better, and I love what it has done for so many people.”
When asked about the experience of having songs leaked before their official release, Ariana expressed mixed feelings. “It’s really disheartening and disappointing when things get leaked—whether it’s videos, pictures, or songs. It’s frustrating and dehumanizing,” she said. “But at the same time, I’m grateful to be an artist that people care about.
My fans wanting more of me to the point of going to such extremes is a reminder of their love. So, I sit somewhere between gratitude for being here and frustration over the invasions of privacy.”
