Ariana Grande is back with a new single, “Yes, And?”, that celebrates her self-love and confidence. The song, co-written by Grande, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Max Martin, is a catchy dance-pop track that challenges her critics and haters. The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, is a glamorous homage to Madonna’s “Vogue” and Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul”.

Many fans speculate that the song is inspired by Grande’s relationship with Ethan Slater, her co-star in the Wicked reboot. The couple started dating shortly after Grande divorced her ex-husband Dalton Gomez in 2023, sparking rumors and backlash about their timing. In the song, Grande sings: “Now, I’m so done with caring / What you think, no, I won’t hide / Underneath your own projections / Or change my most authentic life”.

Grande has a history of using her music to address her personal life and the media scrutiny that surrounds it. From “No Tears Left to Cry” to “Thank U, Next” to “Positions”, Grande has always been honest and candid about her feelings and experiences. “Yes, And?” is no exception, as it showcases her growth and happiness in her new era.

What is Grande’s message to her critics and haters? According to some fans on X (the new name of Twitter), “Yes, And?” is Grande’s way of defending her relationship with Slater, her co-star in the Wicked reboot. Grande and her former husband Dalton Gomez divorced in July 2022. Soon after, People and Us Weekly reported that Grande and Slater were dating. Slater also split from his ex-wife Lilly Jay that month, raising doubts about when Grande and Slater got involved (they started filming Wicked in December 2022, and Grande has hinted at the controversy before the song’s release).

In “Yes, And?,” Grande sings: “Now, I’m so done with caring / What you think, no, I won’t hide / Underneath your own projections / Or change my most authentic life.” Grande is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself. She has a knack for dropping songs that reflect her personal life and the gossip that follows it (see: “No Tears Left to Cry,” “Thank U, Next,” “Everyday”).