Although Ariana Grande recently experienced the tragic death of her ex and splitting from her fiancé, the pop star continues to turn her losses into wins.
Today, Billboard named Ariana Grande the 2018 Woman of the Year. The announcement follows the release of her fourth album, Sweetener, her Sweetener World Tour announcement and a new chart-topping single, “Thank U, Next.” It’s clear that the actress-turned-singer has no intentions of slowing down.
“Ariana Grande is a star on her own terms, never bending to any particular musical trend or path in the industry,” said Ross Scarano, Billboard’s vice-president of content. “Certain in her convictions, she consistently stands up for herself and her decisions in a world that often isn’t hospitable to that sort of strength in young women. She’s got guts, she’s making some of the best music of her career, and she’s absolutely deserving of Woman of the Year.”
Throughout her career, Grande has made her way to the No. 1 spot of the Billboard 200 albums chart three times, recently adding Sweetener to that list.
Grande will now follow in the footsteps of Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, who were all previously honored.
The singer will be honored at the Billboard Women in Music awards gala, which will broadcast live on Dec. 6 via Twitter from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
