Ariana Grande Performs at Hometown of Mac Miller, Breaks Down During 'Thank U, Next'

It was an emotional night for Ariana Grande when she performed at ex Mac Miller’s hometown, Pittsburgh, on June 12 for her Sweetener Tour, where she paid tribute to him in the sweetest and most heartfelt way possible.

Prior to her show, fans were tweeting about the arena playing only Mac Miller songs. They also noticed an empty chair in the front row that Ariana allegedly reserved for him.

At Ariana Grande’s concert in Pittsburgh and she’s playing Mac Miller before then show and I honestly might cry. Pittsburgh misses you, Mac ❤

— Kayla ? (@KAYofsunshine_) June 13, 2019

Ariana is playing songs from Mac Miller before show begins today in Pittsburgh my heart

— Rene (Fan Account) (@_sexualgrande) June 13, 2019

Ariana really had a Mac Miller playlist for the music before the show and she has an empty seat reserved for him ?? she’s so strong ?

— Juan (@FJuanmanuel) June 13, 2019

But it was during the show that the audience truly began to feel Mac’s presence as Ariana barely finished her performance of “Raindrops (An Angel Cried)”, a song that is believed to have been written about Mac.

raindrops from tonight ?? we love u more than ever ariana #swtpittsburgh pic.twitter.com/GGdrZfcLQC

— ??? | 164 (fan account) (@turntluvs) June 13, 2019

She also choked at the mention of Mac during “Thank U, Next” and had difficulty continuing the succeeding verse and chorus. However, the cheers of support from the crowd allowed her to gather enough strength to finish the song.

She’s so f’ing grateful for her ex: Ariana Grande performed in Mac Miller’s hometown and she honored him by playing his music before the show and reserving a seat for him…It wasn’t easy for her, but she made it through the show despite breaking down several times. ? pic.twitter.com/db5lWAzeVR

— E! News (@enews) June 13, 2019

Ariana and Mac started publicly dating in August 2016. They were together for almost two years before ending their relationship in May 2018. Mac died from an apparent drug overdose in September of the same year. Since then, Ariana has consistently paid tribute to Mac whenever she could. In her first written statement about his death, she posted a letter addressed to him on Instagram:

i adored you from the day i met you when i was nineteen and i always will. i can’t believe you aren’t here anymore. i really can’t wrap my head around it. we talked about this. so many times. i’m so mad, i’m so sad i don’t know what to do. you were my dearest friend. for so long. above anything else. i’m so sorry i couldn’t fix or take your pain away. i really wanted to. the kindest, sweetest soul with demons he never deserved. i hope you’re okay now. rest.