Ariana Grande’s Tour Performance Raises Eyebrows Over Past Marriage — Report – Yahoo

Ariana Grande sparked significant conversation during the opening night of her “Eternal Sunshine” tour at the Oakland Arena on Saturday, June 7, 2026. While performing her hit “Thank U, Next,” the singer playfully held up two fingers during a lyric about marrying only once, a gesture interpreted as a nod to her divorce from Dalton Gomez and an openness to future marriage.

What happened during Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” tour opener?

The first night of the “Eternal Sunshine” tour in Oakland, California, was marked by a moment of spontaneous humor that has since dominated social media discussions. According to a report from Page Six, the singer made a pointed reference to her marital history while performing “Thank U, Next,” a 2019 track known for addressing her past relationships with figures such as Mac Miller, Big Sean, and Pete Davidson.

The specific moment occurred during the song’s bridge. As Grande sang the lyrics,

“Only wanna do it once, real bad / Gon’ make that last,”

she paused to playfully hold up two fingers and laugh. This gesture appeared to contradict the literal meaning of the lyrics—which express a desire to marry only one time—suggesting instead that she is open to a second marriage after the failure of her first.

This “savage move,” as characterized by Page Six, served as a public acknowledgment of her failed marriage to luxury real estate agent Dalton Gomez. The performance highlights a shift in how Grande is navigating her personal history on stage, moving from the raw vulnerability of her previous eras to a more self-aware and humorous approach to her romantic setbacks.

The timeline of Ariana Grande’s marriage and divorce from Dalton Gomez

To understand why a simple hand gesture would raise eyebrows, it is necessary to look at the timeline of Grande’s relationship with Dalton Gomez. The couple’s marriage was a high-profile union that eventually ended in a widely publicized legal separation.

The divorce was finalized in March 2024, marking the end of a three-year marriage. For several years, Grande had remained relatively private about the specifics of the dissolution, but the “Eternal Sunshine” era appears to be a vehicle for her to process these events more openly. By referencing the divorce during a song that originally focused on earlier relationships, she has effectively updated the narrative of “Thank U, Next” to include her experience as a married woman and a divorcee.

Why the “Eternal Sunshine” tour marks a pivotal return

Beyond the viral moment regarding her marriage, the tour itself represents a major milestone in Grande’s career. The “Eternal Sunshine” tour is her first time returning to the road after a seven-year hiatus from touring. This gap in live performances has created an immense amount of anticipation among her global fanbase.

The emotional weight of this return was evident during the opening night in Oakland. According to Page Six, Grande fought back tears at one point during the show, emotionally thanking the crowd. She told the audience, “I missed you,” and added, “This is very overwhelming, so thank you so much for all of your love.”

This emotional vulnerability contrasts with the “savage” humor of the “Thank U, Next” segment, showing a performer who is balancing the joy of returning to her craft with the baggage of the last seven years. For many fans, the tour is not just a series of concerts but a public reclamation of her identity after a period of personal upheaval and professional silence.

Analyzing the evolution of “Thank U, Next” as a performance piece

“Thank U, Next” has always been more than just a pop song; it is a public ledger of Grande’s romantic history. When it was first released in 2019, it was an anthem of gratitude and self-love following a series of traumatic breakups. However, the context of the song changes when performed in 2026.

• Original Context (2019): A reflection on Pete Davidson, Big Sean, and Mac Miller, focusing on the lessons learned from each.
• Current Context (2026): A reflection that now encompasses a legal marriage and divorce, transforming the song from a “breakup” track into a “life transition” track.
• The “Two-Finger” Shift: By altering the meaning of the “do it once” lyric, Grande is signaling to her audience that her perspective on commitment and “forever” has evolved.

This evolution suggests that Grande is no longer bound by the aspirations she sang about in 2019. Instead of clinging to the idea of a single, perfect marriage, she is embracing the reality of her lived experience, including the parts that didn’t work out.

The broader impact of the “Eternal Sunshine” era

The “Eternal Sunshine” tour is part of a larger thematic shift in Grande’s work. While her earlier albums like Yours Truly and My Everything established her as a pop powerhouse, and Sweetener and Thank U, Next dealt with grief and growth, the current era seems focused on the concept of memory and erasure—themes echoed in the tour’s title.

The act of “shading” a failed marriage on stage can be seen as a form of catharsis. In the entertainment industry, artists often use their tours to “close the chapter” on a specific period of their lives. By laughing at the irony of her previous desire to “do it once,” Grande is effectively closing the door on the Gomez era and positioning herself for whatever comes next.

Furthermore, the tour’s production and aesthetic, which include custom looks and a focus on “every version of herself,” suggest a narrative of integration. She is not erasing her past—including the failed marriage—but is instead incorporating it into a more complex, adult version of her public persona.

Common misconceptions about the tour and the gesture

In the wake of the Oakland performance, several interpretations of the “two-finger” gesture have circulated. It is important to distinguish between reported facts and fan speculation.

Some viewers have speculated that the gesture is a hint at a new relationship or an engagement. However, based on the reporting from Page Six, the gesture was a direct response to the lyrics of “Thank U, Next” and a reflection on her divorce from Dalton Gomez. There has been no official confirmation of a new partner associated with this specific moment.

Another misconception is that the performance was an act of malice. However, witnesses and reports describe the moment as “playful” and accompanied by laughter, suggesting that Grande is approaching her past marriage with a sense of irony rather than lingering bitterness.

Quick Facts: The “Eternal Sunshine” Tour Opener

• Venue: Oakland Arena, Oakland, California.
• Date: Saturday, June 7, 2026.
• Key Song: “Thank U, Next.”
• Controversial Moment: Holding up two fingers during the “walk down the aisle” lyric.
• Emotional Highlight: A tearful thank you to fans after a seven-year touring break.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Ariana Grande hold up two fingers during “Thank U, Next”?

During the lyric “Only wanna do it once, real bad,” Grande held up two fingers and laughed. This is widely interpreted as a joke about her failed marriage to Dalton Gomez, suggesting she is open to marrying a second time despite her previous lyrics stating she only wanted to do it once.

When did Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez divorce?

According to reports, Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez finalized their divorce in March 2024 after being married for three years.

How long has it been since Ariana Grande last toured?

The “Eternal Sunshine” tour marks Grande’s return to the stage after a seven-year break from touring.

Where did the “Eternal Sunshine” tour begin?

The tour kicked off on Saturday, June 7, 2026, at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California.

What other relationships are mentioned in “Thank U, Next”?

The song famously references Grande’s past relationships with Pete Davidson, Big Sean, and the late Mac Miller.

For those interested in the evolution of pop stardom and the intersection of personal life and public performance, this tour serves as a primary case study in how artists use live venues to rewrite their own narratives in real-time. As the tour progresses, the industry will be watching to see if this openness about her past marriage becomes a recurring theme of the show.