Ariana Grande makes a smashing return to #1 this week with petal (Republic). The diminutive diva is within striking distance of 300k with the album, tracks from which are dominating the DSP leaderboards as you read this.
Piers Morgan talks about Ariana Grande in new post:
“I've no idea what's going on with Ariana Grande but I do know, after spending a random evening with her in a Beverly Hills restaurant a few years ago, that she's a genuinely great person: intelligent, funny, engaging, and of course, supremely talented. Fame at her pop superstar level can be a very difficult and lonely place. So, I urge all the trolls currently making her life a misery with this constant chuntering about her appearance to back off and give her the space she needs to sort herself out.”
Ariana Grande in speech at her Chicago show tonight while addressing her upcoming hiatus:
“I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me — but I just have to say that could not be more the f*ck opposite. This is not what that is. Multiple things can be true at the same time — Boundaries can need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes. This will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.”
Since dominating DSPs on its opening day, Ariana Grande’s petal (Republic) is in line to become the artist’s biggest debut since 2019; the album is a lock for #1 next week, projected to premiere with 300k+ units.
First-week activity is an even split, with sales and streaming contributing about 50% each to the total. Grande’s previous full-length, 2024’s eternal sunshine, bowed with 227k.
Variety rates 'petal' 92/100
'Petal is not an easy or obvious career move — it’s probably the biggest musical departure of her career, but it’s also her most musically and lyrically accomplished album. […] Eight albums into her discography, Ariana Grande continues to surprise.'
Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Jacob Batalon from ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ praise Demi Lovato's song "Cool for the Summer" in a new BuzzFeed UK interview 🩷