Honestly, it’s been years, but people still can't stop talking about them. It’s one of those rare celebrity connections that feels less like a tabloid headline and more like a heavy, complicated novel you can't put down. When we look back at Mac Miller and Ariana Grande, it is easy to get lost in the tragic ending or the "ship" culture of the internet. But if you actually dig into the timeline, it wasn’t just a pop star dating a rapper. It was a decade-long orbit of two people who basically grew up together in the spotlight.
They met when Ariana was only 19. Think about that. 2012. She was still a Nickelodeon star trying to find her voice, and Malcolm McCormick—known to the world as Mac Miller—was the kid from Pittsburgh with the "Easy Mac" grin who was busy pivoting from frat-rap to something much deeper. They recorded a cover of "Baby It’s Cold Outside" because they were fans of each other. That’s it. That was the spark.
The Slow Burn and "The Way"
Most people assume they started dating during "The Way" in 2013. You remember the video. The white background, the balloons, and that kiss at the end that sent the 2013 internet into a total tailspin. But they weren't together then. Not really. Mac even told MTV News at the time that she was just "the homie." Ariana had a boyfriend, and Mac was doing his own thing.
Still, the chemistry was undeniable. You can’t fake that kind of comfort. They spent years as best friends before anything romantic officially happened. That matters because it explains why the impact of their eventual relationship—and Mac’s passing—was so massive. They weren't just "exes." They were each other’s foundational support systems.
August 2016: When Everything Changed
Fast forward to 2016. Ariana had just ended things with Ricky Alvarez. Suddenly, she’s spotted at Disneyland with Mac and Victoria Monét. Then came the sushi date. Then the VMAs. By the time they dropped "My Favorite Part" on Mac’s album The Divine Feminine, the world knew.
That album is basically a love letter. While Mac later clarified that the whole project wasn't exclusively about her, he did admit that a lot of it was inspired by the "feminine energy" she brought into his life. It was a lighter time. They were seen at Coachella, they did the One Love Manchester benefit together after the horrific bombing, and Mac was there on the tarmac when she flew back to Florida, just waiting to hold her.
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The Part Nobody Wants to Talk About
Here is the thing: the internet loves a fairytale, but real life is messy. By May 2018, it was over. People were shocked. They looked "perfect."
But shortly after the split, Mac was arrested for a DUI after crashing his G-Wagon. The internet, being the internet, tried to blame Ariana. Someone on Twitter actually told her it was "heartbreaking" that she dumped him after he "poured his heart out" on an album for her.
Ariana didn't stay quiet. She clapped back with a note that was incredibly raw. She called the relationship "toxic" and "scary" at times. She made it clear that she wasn't a babysitter or a mother.
"I have cared for him and tried to support his sobriety and prayed for his balance for years (and always will of course) but shaming/blaming women for a man's inability to keep his sh*t together is a very major problem."
That quote is vital. It’s the nuance. You can love someone deeply and still recognize that you can't save them from themselves. It’s a hard lesson, and she had to learn it in front of millions of people.
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The Aftermath and September 2018
We all know what happened next. September 7, 2018. Mac Miller died of an accidental overdose.
The world stopped for a second. For Ariana, it was a total collapse. She broke up with Pete Davidson shortly after. She adopted Mac’s dog, Myron. She started wearing his oversized hoodies in her stories.
If you listen to thank u, next, the song "ghostin" is almost unbearable to hear once you know the context. It’s about being with someone else while you’re mourning the person you really want to be with. She literally calls him an "angel" in the title track.
- "The Way" (2013): The beginning of the public obsession.
- "My Favorite Part" (2016): The peak of their public romance.
- "thank u, next" (2018): The public honoring of "Malcolm."
- "eternal sunshine" (2024): The subtle, haunting callbacks.
Why Mac Still Haunts Her Music
Even in 2024 and 2025, the ghost of Mac Miller and Ariana Grande’s connection is everywhere in her work. Her recent album eternal sunshine isn't just a reference to the Jim Carrey movie; it was one of Mac's favorite films.
In the "we can't be friends (wait for your love)" video, she recreates scenes from the movie about erasing memories. There’s a scene with a pink dog collar—Myron’s collar. Fans also noticed a laugh at the beginning of the track "eternal sunshine" that sounds hauntingly like Mac.
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It’s not that she’s "not over it." It’s that grief like that doesn't just go away. It changes shape. It becomes part of the art.
What We Can Learn From Them
People often try to pick a "side" or find a villain in this story. There isn't one. There’s just a guy who struggled with addiction and a girl who tried to help until she couldn't anymore.
If you're looking for the "truth" of Mac Miller and Ariana Grande, it’s found in the small details. It's in the way she still performs "The Way" and skips the rap verse because it’s too hard, or how she keeps his dog close to her.
Insights for the Fans:
- Respect the boundaries: Ariana has made it clear that while she loved him, the relationship had very real, very dark struggles.
- The Music is the Archive: If you want to know how they felt, listen to The Divine Feminine and Sweetener back-to-back.
- Separating Fact from Fiction: Most of the "conspiracy theories" about their breakup are just people projecting. The reality was a combination of busy schedules and the heavy weight of substance abuse.
Their story is a reminder that some connections are so deep they don't really end, even when the people do. It’s about the "unconditional love" she mentioned in her first post after the split.
To honor Mac's legacy, the best thing anyone can do isn't to dissect his relationship with a pop star, but to listen to the music he left behind. Check out the Mac Miller Fund, which supports young musicians and programs in his hometown of Pittsburgh. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re trying to "fix" someone at the expense of your own mental health, remember Ariana’s words: you are not a babysitter.
Take a moment to listen to "Cinderella" or "Ghostin" today. Really listen. You'll hear two people who were just trying to find their way through a very loud world, together and then apart.