Ariana Grande is at the peak of her career with her first-ever Oscar nomination for her performance in Wicked, but the path to this moment was far from easy. 

The superstar, 31, opened up about the mental health challenges she faced during the creation of her back-to-back albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next In a candid appearance on The Hollywood Reporter Awards Chatter podcast.

Production on Sweetener began after the 2017 Manchester bombing outside her concert, which claimed 22 lives, and a month after its release in August 2018, Ariana faced another blow with the death of her ex Mac Miller from an overdose at 26. 

‘I was doing so much therapy, and I was dealing with PTSD and all different kinds of grief and depression and anxiety, and I was, of course, treating it very seriously, but having music be a part of that remedy was absolutely contributing to saving my life,’ she shared on the podcast.

In the wake of Mac’s death and her breakup with Pete Davidson, Ariana channeled her pain into Thank U, Next, completing and releasing the album in just two weeks by February 2019.

‘They were dark times, and the music brought so much levity, and so did the experience. But it poured out with urgency, and it was made with urgency, and it was a means of survival,’ she confessed.

Ariana Grande is at the peak of her career with her first-ever Oscar nomination for her performance in Wicked, but the path to this moment was far from easy

The superstar, 31, opened up about the mental health challenges she faced during the creation of her back-to-back albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next In a candid appearance on The Hollywood Reporter Awards Chatter podcast; (One Love Manchester Benefit Concert in 2017)

Despite facing unimaginable grief, she turned to the catharsis of music as a way to heal and find light in the darkest of times.

‘It felt really healing and freeing. It was just such a beautiful moment of connection.’

Despite the struggles, Ariana has been keeping her head up lately, celebrating her major Oscar nomination with pure emotion. 

Read More Ariana Grande’s boyfriend Ethan Slater shares pH๏τo of Wicked star as she lands Oscar nomination

She shared on social media that she couldn’t stop ‘bawling her eyes out’ upon hearing the news, but ᴀssured her fans that they were tears of joy.

‘Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition,’ she began her post on Instagram to celebrate the news.

‘I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise,’ she continued.

‘I’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered. i’m so proud of you, tiny.’

Ariana included an adorable pH๏τo of herself as a child dressed up like Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz, which inspired her film Wicked, as well as the stage musical and the original novel that it’s based on. 

She also included sweet words for her costar Cynthia, from whom she’s been nearly inseparable in recent months as they promoted their blockbuster film.

Production on Sweetener began after the 2017 Manchester bombing outside her concert, which claimed 22 lives; (Vigil in St Ann’s Square, Manchester, during the days following the 22 May 2017, suicide bombing)

Amonth after Sweeteners release in August 2018, Ariana faced another blow with the death of her ex Mac Miller from an overdose at 26; (seen in March 2018)

In the wake of Mac’s death and her breakup with Pete Davidson , Ariana channeled her pain into Thank U, Next, completing and releasing the album in just two weeks by February 2019; (seen in August 2018)

Her Wicked costar Cynthia Erivo (L) was also nominated in the best lead actress category, and the film earned 10 nominations total, tying The Brutalist for second place behind Emilia Pérez 

‘You brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden,’ she gushed. ‘i love you unconditionally, always.’ 

After the nominations were announced, Ariana and Cynthia reunited for a lunch reception in London. 

Wicked ultimately received an impressive 10 Academy Award nominations.

Ariana will be eagerly anticipating the Oscars on March 12, hoping for even more good news as she aims for a win and further celebrates the incredible journey that has brought her here.