If things seem a little quieter than usual at the local government offices in Corbetta, Italy, it might be because the mayor is busy reacting to what looks like Ariana Grande teasing her eighth album. And honestly, who could blame him?
In a recent TikTok video shared on the politician’s official account, Mayor Marco Ballarini is seen checking his phone before suddenly jumping up in surprise, apparently after seeing the buzz about the pop star possibly hinting at new music. He then grabs his office phone to share the update and even pulls out a photo of Grande from the 2018 Billboard Women in Music Awards, kissing his hand before tapping the picture.
“ARIANA?!? AG8?!” the text over the video reads.
“Is she about to release her eighth album?!” he also wrote in Italian in the caption, later adding in English, “arianators we’re alive?!? [sobbing emoji]”
Ballarini is just one of many Arianators getting excited over the possibility that Grande’s eighth album could be on the way. With only a few months left before she begins her tour supporting her 2024 Billboard 200 chart topper Eternal Sunshine, the Wicked star recently updated the outgoing message on her official “Brighter Days” hotline (934 33 ERASE). The new message says, “We just wanted to say thank you all so much to all of our loyal customers for making this last year together something we’ll never want to forget.”
“Our staff here at Brighter Days are so looking forward to continuing our mission of bringing happiness and healing to as many as we can this summer in person,” Grande says in the recording. “We’re counting down the 8s oops! I mean, the days. We’ll see you this summer, and remember, there are always brighter days ahead.”
If she is truly hinting at new music, fans have even more reason to be excited because Grande has previously said she did not plan to release another album anytime soon. “I love [my fans] so much, but sometimes I want to ask, ‘Do you think there’s another version of me out there who had time to write an album?’” she told Variety in January. The publication also quoted her as saying “nothing is coming before May,” though Grande later clarified by saying, “i never said ‘but soon enough’ or mentioned any months ! … i would need an extra brain and four more arms.”
The Grammy winner has also made it clear that she has been focusing more on acting roles instead of releasing new music. Still, if her plans have shifted, fans will be watching closely as the Eternal Sunshine tour approaches. The tour is scheduled to begin June 6 and continue through Sept. 1.
Check out the TikTok from Corbetta’s mayor below.
