Ariana Grande is keeping a positive outlook on her bittersweet year.
The "Light is Coming" singer had to fight back tears as music icon Patti Labelle presented her with the Woman of the Year award at Billboard's Women in Music event Thursday evening (December 6).
Shortly after giving a live performance of her No. 1 smash "thank u, next," the 25-year-old delivered a reflective speech on her 2018, which has brought both trials and triumphs for the young pop star who experienced the most successful and saddening moments of her life, such as the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and her broken engagement with Pete Davidson.
"I want to say that I find it interesting that this has been one of the best years of my career and the worst of my life," Grande said. "Iâm not saying that for sympathy, Iâm just saying that because I think a lot of people would look at someone in my position right now ⊠and think, 'Sheâs really got her s**t together,' you know? Like, 'Sheâs really on it.' Like, 'Sheâs got it all.'"
The artist went on to say how challenging her year has been and offered empathy for those who have also felt conflicted about the future ahead.
"I just want to say if youâre someone out there who has no idea what this next chapterâs gonna bring, youâre not alone in that," a teary-eyed Grande continued, holding back the waterworks. "Ew, Iâm not gonna cry thatâs really stupid ⊠Youâre not alone in that. Iâm really looking forward to embracing whatever happens; whatever comes my way."
In closing her speech, the "Breathin" songbird vowed to put self-love and her close ones first.
âI look forward to hopefully learning to give some of the love and forgiveness that Iâve given away so frivolously and easily to men in the past to myself hopefully this year," she said. "I have everything Iâve ever dreamt of having and as of late Iâve discovered that itâs the things Iâve always had and the people Iâve always had that still make me the happiest.â
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