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Unveiling the Heartbreaking Journey of Frankie Grande: Ariana’s Brother

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Tragic Details About Ariana Grande's Brother Frankie

This article discusses issues related to addiction.

Ariana Grande is well-known for her exceptional talents, but her older brother, Frankie Grande, is no stranger to fame himself. Frankie, a Broadway performer with credits like “Mamma Mia!” and “Titanique,” gained popularity through social media and reality television as a contestant on “Big Brother.” However, navigating the pressures of fame has been challenging for him. He mentioned on “E! True Hollywood Story” that “fame can be mentally destructive” and shared his struggles with managing public recognition.

Frankie’s rise to fame exacerbated his anxiety, leading him to misuse substances. His journey to sobriety was difficult, but he found support in his family, particularly Ariana, as he faced challenges that required him to hit rock bottom before seeking help.

A Significant Event Prompted Frankie Grande to Address His Addiction

Frankie Grande wearing a floral shirt

In 2017, Ariana’s concert in Manchester suffered a devastating terrorist attack that resulted in numerous casualties. During this time, Frankie was struggling with severe substance abuse, which led him to feel disconnected from his family when they needed him most. He recounted a moment of clarity when he realized that he needed help and reached out to Ariana, which led him to a detox facility. Fortunately, he has maintained his sobriety ever since.

Since overcoming his addiction, Frankie’s bonds with family members have strengthened. He takes pride in being there for his sister and mother, something he felt he couldn’t do for years. Frankie continues to inspire others by sharing messages of hope about the journey of sobriety through his social media channels.

Frankie Grande’s Mugging Incident in NYC

Frankie Grande performing in New York City
 Ndz/star Max/Getty Images

In November 2022, while walking in Manhattan, Frankie Grande was attacked by a couple of teenagers who robbed him. The assailants later attempted to use his credit card but were apprehended. Reports revealed that they possessed a fake gun and a razor blade, leading to multiple charges against them.

Despite the harrowing experience, Frankie expressed forgiveness and empathy towards the offenders, wishing for their rehabilitation and better life choices, drawing from his own past struggles with addiction.

The Sad News Frankie Discovered While on Big Brother

Franke Grande reading a letter

“`html Franke Grande reading a letter
 ET/YouTube

In “Big Brother,” contestants must remain isolated from the outside world, but when Frankie Grande’s grandfather passed away during Season 16 filming, an exception was made. A video segment shared by ET shows him receiving a heartfelt letter from his family, which read, “We love you and miss you dearly. I’m with Nonna, Ari, and your cousin, and we are all so sad to say that Grandpa lost his battle with cancer.” The footage captures Frankie in tears after reading the letter, wherein he promised to continue competing to honor his grandfather’s memory.

Following this heartbreaking news, Frankie honored his grandfather with a eulogy in the “Big Brother” house (via Bustle). He expressed, “My grandfather fought for our family every day… He had dreams and worked hard to provide for us. This letter tells me he wants me to stay and fight; he is proud of what I’m doing here.” Grande recounted how his grandfather battled cancer three times before his death and shared that he now aims to establish a school in Africa in his grandfather’s name, saying, “I have a new purpose: to fight for my grandfather’s legacy.”

Frankie Grande mourned the loss of his friend Mac Miller

Frankie and Ariana Grande seated beside Mac Miller
 Neilson Barnard/mtv1617/Getty Images

In September 2018, Variety announced the tragic passing of rapper Mac Miller, who reportedly died from an accidental overdose. His family remarked, “Malcolm McCormick, cherished by many as Mac Miller, has sadly passed away at just 26 years old. He was a shining light for his family and fans.”

A few days later, Frankie Grande shared a heartfelt tribute for Mac on Instagram. He expressed, “I am utterly heartbroken by Malcolm’s passing. He was a great friend and treated my sister wonderfully. His encouragement led me to a rehabilitation center where I safely detoxed from drugs and alcohol when I felt I couldn’t live without them.” Grande highlighted how the “Self Care” artist motivated him to remain sober and advised fans in need to seek help.

Frankie Grande faced online bullying

Frankie Grande at the Wicked premiere
 Amy Sussman/Getty Images

While fame has its advantages, Frankie Grande opened up about the bullying he faced online after gaining popularity. In an interview on “Pretty Unfiltered,” he explained that bullying was not part of his childhood, even during his college years when he came out to his fraternity. However, he began to face backlash as he became known on Instagram for being openly gay, saying, “Initially, it was awful and made me feel pressured to change.” Frankie admitted he hesitated to post makeup selfies or affectionate photos with men due to fear of more bullying. “As an adult, I had to accept that my sexuality was the reason some people hated me,” he reflected.

During an interview with Christy Carlson Romano shared on Facebook, Frankie described the intense negativity he experienced online since becoming famous and remarked, “‘Big Brother’ has a particularly aggressive fan base.” The bullying pushed him to rely on drugs and alcohol for coping, but through therapy, he eventually found ways to manage his responses to the negativity. He stated, “In sobriety, I learned to recognize those triggers and developed skills to deal with them. Now, I have a healthy relationship with social media and can enjoy it.” For more information on addiction support, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact their National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).


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