She knows… I know she knows.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
The evidence is stacking up, and the picture of the incident is becoming clearer: Ariana Grande knew about Beyoncé’s surprise self-titled album in 2013 and dutifully told no one, leaving thousands of vulnerable Beyhive members to their queen’s sneak attack. In an October 24 episode of the podcast Shut Up EvanGrande told a sweet story about Bey inviting her to visit a music-video set early in her career. “Beyoncé had me come visit a music video she was shooting. I was just there in a corner, like, Why am I here?” Grande said. “It was after I sang ‘Tattooed Heart’ on the AMAs, I believe it was. And she invited me to set to visit her — just being kind. She gave me a little advice.”
Let’s be very clear about our facts. Grande sang “The Way” and “Tattooed Heart” at the American Music Awards on November 24, 2013, less than a month before Beyoncé would change the game with that Beyonce digital drop on December 13, uploading the album to iTunes without anyone knowing a new project was coming. Except Grande.
The Wicked star was likely on set for “Jealous,” which was filmed three weeks before the album came out, per MTV News. The video sees Bey both inside and outside on the streets of New York City. Could she really have kept the line “I cooked this meal for you naked / So where the hell you at?” secret from her brother Frankie for several weeks? Impressive work.