Sometimes celebrities are really open about their personal lives and at other times they just don't want to be. That seems to be the case with Ariana Grande, who argued with Ryan Seacrest about her relationship with Mac Miller, and the publicity of it, during Wednesday's On Air With Ryan Seacrest. She clearly did not want to discuss it with the former American Idol host and shot him down repeatedly over the topic.
Seacrest inquired about an Instagram post the singer shared with Miller, where the two appear to be wrestling and which she captioned, "baabyyy." I'm sure he didn't think he was stepping into hot water when he said to the 23-year-old singer, "I saw you confirmed this relationship with Mac Miller on Instagram." She replied, "Oh, is that what I did? Is that what Instagram means to you now? All right, world, let's go." Seacrest made it clear that he hadn't seen the IG himself, but was just reading off his list of questions. Grande then pushed the host harder by asking, "I mean, is that what that means?" He answered, "I don't know, I'm asking." Grande replied, "What are you asking? You said a sentence. There was no question."
Eventually, the Dangerous Woman artist became even more frustrated and said, "It's too early for this kind of tea." Before Grande cut him off, Seacrest seemed to be trying to argue the point that when a celebrity, like themselves, posts something, they are going to get asked about it. She responded, "If I post something, that's what I'm willing to share at the moment. It doesn't mean then you, Ryan Seacrest, with millions of listeners are entitled to more information."
It is a bit uncomfortable to watch Grande snap back at Seacrest, who is just doing his job by asking his guest questions. He didn't overstep by getting too personal or being disrespectful to Grande, either. If he did, then that'd be a whole different story. All he wanted to know about was a picture she put out into the world on Instagram for the world to see and speculate about. Celebrities know that whatever they're sharing on social media is going to make headlines and if they're willing to put it up for public viewing, then they better get ready for others to want to discuss it publicly. If not, then why share it? At this point in her career, I would think Grande would realize when she posts an IG with someone she was rumored to be dating, she's going to get asked about it. Yeah, it might get old being asked the same questions over and over again or to have your personal life dissected, but that comes with the territory if you are a celebrity who posts a public photo. That seems to be what Seacrest was trying to argue, as well. And no, she doesn't have to answer the question, but it was surprising to see that she reacted to it with such shock.
Later that same day, Grande did confirm her relationship with Miller while talking with Ellen DeGeneres on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She told DeGeneres, "This is so crazy. I’ve never had the relationship talk on a show before." And added when the talk show host asked her if she was happy with Miller, "Yes."
Still, as much as I find some fault with how Grande responded to Seacrest, I do admire her for standing her ground and staying true to herself. Plus, I don't know what she was thinking at that moment or what she was feeling that morning. She could've been having a bad day, which then came through in her interview. Really, all of this just goes to show you that when it comes to her life, Grande is in charge and she controls the narrative. No one else will be given the reins; the "Into You" singer will discuss what she wants when she wants and on her own terms.
For example, let's go back to when she said, "It doesn't mean then you, Ryan Seacrest, with millions of listeners are entitled to more information." She's right, just because she posts a photo doesn't mean anyone is "entitled to more information," nor does she have to offer up details. Yes, she shared the photo of herself and Miller in a public forum, but it's only up to her if she wants to talk about it further.
It's no secret that Grande would rather choose to talk about herself and her career rather than who she may or may not be dating at a given time. In June 2015, she wrote a powerful essay about feminism and double standards, where she said,
I have clearly not been having the boy questions in my interviews lately because I have come to the realization that I have SO. MUCH. MORE. To talk about. I’m currently making the best music I’ve ever made in my life, having the best time of my life on tour with some of the greatest people I’ve ever known, working my ass off every single day, performing/creating for my babes and getting the chance to meet and hug my babes all over the world every day.
Maybe that's how Grande felt when Seacrest brought up the photo with Miller? Maybe she is sick and tired of talking about her personal life and wants to direct the narrative back to her own success? That's something I definitely can't find fault with.
Whatever the case, there's no doubt Grande controls all aspects of her life, so take note.
