Ariana Grande fans cool with her nods to Mac Miller during Pittsburgh concert

Mary Pickels | Thursday, June 13, 2019 11:11 a.m.

Chris Pizzello

In this June 2, 2018, file photo., Ariana Grande performs at Wango Tango at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. The singer cried during an interview Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 with Ebro for Beats 1 on Apple Music as she shared thoughts on the 2017 concert in England, when a suicide bomber killed 22 people.

Ariana Grande performed for a sold-out crowd at the PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday, singing many of her hit songs.

She’s dominated headlines in recent years after bouncing back onto stage after the terror attack in Manchester, England, in 2017, following her concert there.

She also spent time in the spotlight, welcome or not, during her short-lived romance with SNL comedian Pete Davidson, and her heartbreak over the 2018 death of former boyfriend and Pittsburgh native musician Mac Miller.

Some fans clearly had that relationship on their minds last night.

Damnnn. The shirt I made for the Ariana concert in Pittsburgh tn got me full ???? pic.twitter.com/m4ix8M3e4r

— Pallav (@Pa11av) June 12, 2019

Others appreciated her apparent nod to Miller by playing his tunes before she launched into her own.

Others found her honoring him in sweet ways.

She's so f'ing grateful for her ex: Ariana Grande performed in Mac Miller's hometown and she honored him by playing his music before the show and reserving a seat for him…It wasn't easy for her, but she made it through the show despite breaking down several times. ? pic.twitter.com/db5lWAzeVR

— E! News (@enews) June 13, 2019

According to various fan posts, Grande acknowledged the rapper’s hometown and his importance in her life in numerous ways during her concert, although perhaps not as blatantly as some might have wished.

also how much support was shown for @arianagrande and love for @macmiller during thank u, next was amazing ??? #SWTPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/EkgPcgSTO1

— ♔Alexa Rae (@lexadee22) June 13, 2019

Some apparently saw the need to defend her for not making the show all about Mac Miller.

I can’t imagine that performing in Pittsburgh was easy tonight for @ArianaGrande but she honestly crushed it and did a beautiful job paying tribute to @MacMiller. This is a strong ass woman. Keep coming back to see us Ari, PGH will always be here for you ?? pic.twitter.com/VSH7AYA0Mt

— Tall Cathy (@tallcathy) June 13, 2019

Another pointed out we all grieve differently, and Grande shouldn’t be expected to do hers publicly while performing.

If went to the @ArianaGrande Pittsburgh show and you're mad at her for not giving a full @MacMiller tribute….you're literally mad at someone for how they mourn

You're angry at another person for how they handle death

So…you've got that hot take going for you. Good stuff

— Mikey (@fsmikey) June 13, 2019

But she appeared to be struggling with her emotions, and fans gave her a pass for apparently becoming overwhelmed during a few of her numbers.

#ArianaGrande could not finish her song 'Raindrops' and started to cry when she sang Mac's line in 'Thank u, next' because she had her show in Malcolm's hometown #SWTPittsburgh Mac Is looking down and smiling more than ever at how our queen grew !? pic.twitter.com/ajGDiLenr3

— AriChan?? (@ArianaGrFan42) June 13, 2019

Whether she said Miller’s name or not, “The Sweetener World Tour” songstress managed to share his memory with Pittsburgh fans who clearly embrace both him and Grande.