Grande caps off year with Billboard award

Ariana Grande capped off a successful year as a pop star — but a trying one as a maturing young woman — at the 13th annual Billboard Women in Music event, where she was named Woman of the Year. The 25-year-old singer was teary-eyed at times during her acceptance speech as she reflected on her year, which included the end of her relationship with comedian-actor Pete Davidson and the death of her former boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller. Last year, a bombing at her concert in Manchester, England killed 22 people. “I just want to say if you’re someone out there who has no idea what this next chapter is going to bring, you’re not alone in that.” Grande’s successful year included another No. 1 album with “Sweetener” as well as multiple hits, from “No Tears Left to Cry” to “God Is a Woman” to “Breathin.” She sang “Thank U, Next,” her first No. 1 smash on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, in front of the audience.