“I Just Want To Be Happy And Make Music.”– Ariana Grande Declares As She Is Crowned Billboard’s “Woman Of The Year” 2018

Ariana Grande is Billboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year and she is also on the cover of the latest issue. The 25-year-old entertainer spoke with the magazine about finding comfort in creating music, her public romances, recording new music and more.

Read excerpts below.

On finding comfort in creating music:

“I guess there’s not much I’m afraid of anymore….When life tries you with such serious sh*t so many times, your priorities change. I don’t give a sh*t. I just want to be happy and healthy — one day — and make music.”

On refusing to abide by pop-star expectations and continuing to record new music:

“I don’t want to do what people tell me to do, I don’t want to conform to the pop star agenda. I want to do it on my own terms from now on. If I want to tour two albums at once, I’m going to tour two albums at once. If I want to drop the third album while I’m on tour [in 2019], I’ll do that too! Please. [“Thank U, Next” production duo] Social House is my opening act — you don’t think we’re going to have a studio on the bus? That we’re not going to be making records on the road? Of course, we are. I want to be able to do what is authentic and honest and natural. It’s the only way that I’ve been able to survive.”

On getting involved in public romances:

“This is how I meet people — I can’t just, like, meet someone at a bar. I live fast and full-out, and I make mistakes, and I learn from them and I’m grateful no matter what happens.”