Ariana Grande got emotional as she sang ‘Thank U, Next’ during her show in her late ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller’s hometown of Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.
The 26-year-old rapper, born Malcolm James McCormick, died from a drug overdose last September. Ariana’s famous song mentions her celebrity exes, and includes the lyrics, “Wish I could say, ‘Thank you’ to Malcolm / ‘Cause he was an angel.”
While performing the song, she choked up and was unable to sing those lyrics, but the audience totally had her back, showing her support by singing along and applauding loudly.
Ariana also paid tribute to Mac Miller even before the show began. While the audience was getting seated at the PPG Paints Arena, the rapper’s music was played. She reportedly also had an empty seat reserved for him.