Ari is on top of the physical world. You can't go anywhere without hearing "Thank You, Next", "7 Rings" or "Imagine" playing from the sweet heavens.
However, for all the success and love Ariana has had in her life, there's no denying our sweet angel Ari has experienced trauma as well.
The Manchester Arena bombing (May 22nd, 2017) tragically took the lives of 22 fans outside of the arena where Ariana had just finished her concert.
“I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well," she explained.
"I feel like I shouldn't even be talking about my own experience – like I shouldn't even say anything. I don't think I'll ever know how to talk about it and not cry."
She has explained her anxiety on social media to her fans before.
Now, if you're like me and see just a lot of lit up brain space and a few different designs and illustrations that don't mean anything to you don't worry, we're about to break it down for you.
It makes it nearly impossible for people who have experienced trauma to stop remembering the negative event they experienced.
These negative experiences are so powerful that they can actually change the structure and function of our brains.
The major three areas of the brain affected by PTSD are the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the medial frontal cortex, and if you look at Ariana's brain scan, this is what you see lit up.
Basically, PTSD affects areas of the brain responsible for our memories and emotion processing, and makes them hyperactive.
And if that sounds really intense it's because it IS and us fans were spooked.
"Didn't mean to startle anyone with my brain thingy," she wrote on Instagram.
"I love science and seeing the physical reality of what's going on in there was incredible to me. Someday, when I'm more healed up, we can talk more about it."
In caring for Mac Miller's dog Myron, Ari is actually helping her PTSD recovery at the same time.
Thesis? Dogs are magical!
When she sat down with Billboard Ari credited her strength to her friends which is where the inspiration for 7 Rings came from, "“It was a... challenging fall day in New York. Me and my friends went to Tiffany’s together, just because we needed some retail therapy... They got us very tipsy, so we bought seven engagement rings, and when I got back to the studio I gave everybody a friendship ring. That’s why we have these, and that’s where the song idea came from.”
"I can’t even say ‘Good morning’ to anyone without crying," she said. "When life tries you with such serious sht so many times, your priorities change. I don’t give a sht. I just want to be happy and healthy -- one day -- and make music.”
The devastation of the Manchester attack would be enough to break anyone, let alone everything else Ari has suffered through.
Breaking the stigma and inspiring others to openly discuss their mental health issues is so incredibly important and inspiring.
UGH, as if we couldn't stan Ari more!
