- Ariana Grande released a surprise single, “Monopoly,” Monday, which is a duet with her close friend and frequent co-writer, Victoria Monét.
- In the post-chorus, both women sing the line, “I like women and men.”
- Monét is openly bisexual, though Grande has been vague about her sexuality in the past.
- Many fans reacted to the lyric online, with some celebrating Grande’s “coming out” and others wondering about Grande’s intentions.
- “i haven’t [labeled my sexuality] before and still don’t feel the need to now,” Grande wrote on Twitter. “which is okay.”
After sparking speculation about her sexuality in her new song, “Monopoly,” Ariana Grande defended her decision not to conform to traditional labels.
“i haven’t before and still don’t feel the need to now,” Grande wrote on Twitter. “which is OK.”
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1112866753518825473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The clarification came after Grande released the surprise single, a duet with her close friend and frequent co-writer, Victoria Monét.
Interestingly, in the post-chorus, both Grande and Monét both sing the line, "I like women and men."
Monét is openly bisexual after she came out by writing "I also like girls" in a tweet last year. But while Grande has been vocally supportive of the LGBTQ community, she has been vague about her sexuality in the past.
In fact, when Grande responded to critics of her headliner slot at Manchester Pride this year, she referenced the fact that she has never publicly labeled herself (though she has only publicly dated men).
"i want to celebrate and support this community, regardless of my identity or how people label me," she wrote on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1100833408144498688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Grande's tweet on Monday - in response to a fan who wrote, "ariana ain't gotta label herself, but she said what she said" - appeared to double down on this philosophy.
The fan was referencing a comment from Monét on Instagram, which also seemed designed to shut down speculation.
http://instagr.am/p/BvuzGxRhO81
Naturally, many fans reacted to the lyric online.
Some celebrated Grande's "coming out," while others wondered about Grande's true intentions.
https://twitter.com/spaceytour/status/1112825839874465793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/prfctinparis/status/1112490375602671616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
if ariana is bisexual and this is her way of coming out. then i’m so proud of her. if it isn’t then thank you for the bisexual anthem ma’am !
— paige⁴ (@oscarpiasstri) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/omgemiily/status/1112831132670873601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Some fans pointed out that Monét may have just written the line for herself.
https://twitter.com/iloveangxls/status/1112830049810493440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Others said that fans shouldn't assume someone's sexuality, and that fans shouldn't push her to address the topic before she's ready.
https://twitter.com/prfctparker/status/1112491122885054464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/greedyszn/status/1112827918093357056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/widowsdanvers/status/1112859818564440066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
After Grande weighed in on Twitter, many people applauded her decision to eschew labels.
Fans called Grande's response "a breath of fresh air." Many noted that bisexuality or fluidity is still valid, regardless of dating history.
yes!!! no need for labels 2019 🙂
— jesse (@karmaismyboy) April 2, 2019
So she’s choosing to love who she wants without having to explain herself...I like that. It’s a breath of fresh air.
— Justice Douse (@justice_douse) April 2, 2019
i better not see anyone say she is “doing it for attention” or she’s “using the LGBTQ community for clout”. ariana does not have to put a definite label on her sexuality for it to be valid. just because we’ve only seen her date men does not invalidate how she feels. that is all. https://t.co/2AlWZheArA
— elaina ⎕ (@odetoiliwys) April 2, 2019