Pop star Ariana Grande has written a touching letter to the LGBTIQ+ community, reflecting on her close relationship with her older brother, Frankie Grande, who is openly gay.
"There is nothing more infectious than the joy and love that the LGBTQ community exudes," she wrote for Billboard, in celebration of Pride Month.
She continued: "I grew up with a gay brother whose every move I would emulate. I idolised him. Everything Frankie did, I would do. I can’t remember a difference between Frankie before he came out and Frankie after he came out. He’s always just been Frankie."
Ariana then opened up about her family's loving approach to gender and sexuality, saying her brother's sexuality was never a point of contention.
"Sexuality and gender were never topics my family and I were afraid to discuss. When Frankie came out my surprisingly unfased (for his age) grandfather said 'Congrats! Can we go to dinner now? I’m fuckin' hungry.'"
"I was taught to do my makeup by queens in gay bars in New York City. I made my Broadway debut at 14 years old and did 8 shows a week but there was never a night I was too tired to run to a gay bar and do a quick Whitney cover before bed."
"I am eternally indebted to and inspired by the LGBTQ community," she wrote.
"I hope to create anthems for you that wrap you up with comfort and make you get your best life for as long as I live. Thank you for celebrating me the way I celebrate you."
She concluded: "I love you forever."
Grande also marked the beginning of Pride Month by waving a rainbow flag on stage for an energetic performance of popular queer anthem "Break Free".
