Ariana Grande asks fans to stop sending hateful messages to 'people in my life'

Ariana Grande has asked fans to stop sending "hateful messages" to "people in my life" following the release of her new record Eternal Sunshine.

Grande, 30, made the request to her followers on her Instagram Story on Saturday, the day after the release of her seventh studio album.

"i just wanted to say anyone that is sending hateful messages to the people in my life based on your interpretation of this album is not supporting me and is absolutely doing the polar opposite of what i would ever encourage (and is also entirely misinterpreting the intention behind the music)...i ask that you please do not," Grande wrote. "it is not how to support me. it is the opposite."

She added, "although this album captures a lot of painful moments, it also is woven together with a through line of deep, sincere love...if you cannot hear that, please listen more closely."

Eternal Sunshine is her first full album since her 2021 marriage to, and subsequent divorce from, her ex-husband, real estate agent Dalton Gomez, 28. Last July, Grande filed for divorce from Gomez amid rumours that she had got close to her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, 31. That same month, Slater split from his wife and the mother of his infant son, Lilly Jay.

The 7 Rings singer and Slater haven't officially confirmed their relationship, but the two have been spotted out together on several occasions since their respective splits.

Fans had analysed the lyrics of the tracks hunting for references to the turbulent period in her love life.

Grande has said that the album is partly inspired by the 2005 film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, in which the two main characters delete all memories of each other following a painful break-up.