In April 2015, fans were caught off guard when Ariana Grande and Big Sean officially ended their relationship after just eight months of dating. From red carpet appearances to sweet tweets and shared stages, the couple had all the trappings of a young Hollywood romance.
But behind the glam, things were a little more complicated—and dramatic. Despite initial reports that cited scheduling conflicts and tour commitments as the reason behind their split, new information soon emerged that hinted at deeper tensions—ranging from controversial lyrics to jealousy and clashing expectations.
The Final Straw: “Stay Down” and Its Controversial Lyrics
One of the biggest revelations surrounding the breakup came courtesy of TMZ, which reported that Ariana was humiliated by the lyrics in Big Sean’s track “Stay Down.” In the song, Big Sean raps, “I got a million dollar chick / With a billion dollar p**y / Every time I cm, I swear to God I feel like I be rich.”
For Ariana, who had maintained a relatively sweet and modest public image, the lyrics came as a personal and professional blow. According to insiders, not only did she feel objectified, but the situation became even more uncomfortable when family members, including her grandmother, reportedly asked about the lyrics.
“Ariana felt humiliated because Sean was treating her like a piece of meat,” one source told TMZ, highlighting how the line clashed with Ariana’s values and her desire to be respected in both her career and relationships.
Was Justin Bieber Involved?
While the lyrics stirred up controversy, they weren’t the only point of tension. Around the same time, Ariana was performing on her Honeymoon Tour, and during a stop in Inglewood, California, she brought out none other than Justin Bieber for a surprise appearance.
The performance turned a bit flirty, with the two artists getting physically close on stage—close enough to raise eyebrows and stir speculation online.
Shortly after the performance, a tweet allegedly from Big Sean surfaced that read: “This kid is about to learn not to touch my girl like that. Beliebe that.” Although the tweet was later claimed to be fake, the public scrutiny added fuel to the fire, and many began to wonder whether jealousy over Ariana’s professional friendships played a part in the breakup.
No-Show at a Major Career Moment
Behind the scenes, the couple was already struggling to stay connected due to their busy schedules. Big Sean had just performed a major show at the House of Blues in West Hollywood—an event packed with A-list stars like Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, and Chris Brown. But Ariana wasn’t there.
Reportedly, she skipped the show to prepare for the Grammy Awards the next day. While that might seem like a reasonable choice for a pop star with a packed calendar, Sean allegedly saw it as a selfish move and a sign of imbalance in their relationship.
“He traveled ten times more than she did to see her,” an insider told TMZ. There were also claims that Ariana once demanded Big Sean spend tens of thousands of dollars on a private jet just to visit her. As someone who grew up without wealth, Sean reportedly felt she was being frivolous with money—a behavior he interpreted as immaturity.
Conflicting Schedules or Deeper Issues?
In their official statement, representatives for both stars insisted the breakup was amicable and based on conflicting schedules. “They made the decision to part ways because their conflicting touring schedules would keep them apart over the next year,” an insider told Us Weekly.
Big Sean was on a U.S. tour, while Ariana was preparing to head to Europe for the second leg of her Honeymoon Tour. On the surface, the explanation seemed reasonable. After all, long-distance relationships are notoriously difficult to maintain, especially in the high-pressure world of entertainment.
But if the lyrics, jealousy, and accusations of selfishness are any indication, the truth may have been more complex. While the couple attempted to part on good terms, it’s clear that drama was present—whether they wanted to admit it publicly or not.
A Love That Burned Bright—and Fast
Ariana and Big Sean’s romance began in the spotlight. They first sparked dating rumors after getting cozy at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards and soon went public with their relationship.
By October, they were seen wearing matching lion pendant necklaces and appeared inseparable. Ariana even gushed about Sean to the Telegraph Magazine, saying, “He is one of the most amazing men in the world, and that includes my grandfather and my brother. I think the world of him.”
Big Sean, too, expressed admiration and affection for Ariana. In early April 2015, just weeks before their breakup, he tweeted: “Just know I love u and I care for ya.” Ariana replied with a heartfelt, “Love u babes the most. You just can’t imagine.” It was the kind of public exchange fans love to see—only to be followed by the shock of their split shortly after.
A Clean Break, But Lingering Questions
After confirming the breakup, Ariana took to Twitter to assure fans that she was doing just fine. “I love u babes so much. you’re a bunch of angels honestly. your love / care is appreciated so much. I’m good I promise,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, Big Sean made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing “One Man Can Change the World” and appearing in good spirits during a game of Pictionary with Rose Byrne and LL Cool J.
Although they publicly expressed that they “deeply care for each other” and “remain close friends,” it’s clear that emotional wounds were left unspoken. The combination of public embarrassment, jealous moments, and clashing views on money and priorities likely created too many cracks for the relationship to sustain.
In short: yes, drama likely played a significant role in Ariana Grande and Big Sean’s breakup. While scheduling conflicts provided a tidy, PR-approved explanation, behind the scenes, there was tension over everything from explicit lyrics and perceived disrespect to unequal effort and emotional maturity.
What began as a sweet and supportive connection ultimately unraveled in the spotlight—proof that even in love, fame can complicate everything.
