In a world where the entertainment industry is booming and female empowerment is on the up and up, Ariana Grande stands out as a top female artist.

From her appearance in the musical “13” on Broadway to the release of over 100 songs, Grande has gracefully demonstrated the meaning of ‘girl power’ to her young, female audience.

Following the death of Grande’s ex, Mac Miller, and split from ex-fiancé, Pete Davidson, she released a new hit single—“Thank U, Next”—the title track from her latest album.

This track became Grande’s first number one single due to its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since broken a string of records, including most plays in a single day by a female artist.

Though the lyrics thank her exes for the lessons they taught her—such as love, patience and pain—Grande includes in the single that she has taught herself these lessons too, and at the end of the day, a woman only needs herself.

The song shows Grande’s vulnerability and is an inspiration to many to move on and embark on the path of fresh beginnings.

The title track was accompanied by a creative music video including parodies of multiple classic films. Grande dressed as Regina George from “Mean Girls” as well as Elle Woods from “Legally Blonde,” and included many of her friends in the video. Reality television star Kris Jenner also made a surprise appearance.

Grande decided to release another single titled “7 Rings” on Jan. 18, just a day before the Women’s March in Washington D.C. The single was meant to become an anthem for women empowerment, and its creation stemmed from Grande purchasing seven rings for her seven closest friends shortly after she broke off her engagement to Pete Davidson.

Though the single had great intentions and was meant to symbolize women empowerment, its delivery has sparked a mix of emotions.

In the song’s short existence, it has already sparked controversy and been labeled as plagiarism.

Both Soulja Boy fans and Princess Nokia have discovered obvious similarities between Grande’s “7 Rings,” Soulja Boy’s “Pretty Boy Swag” and Nokia’s “Mine.” Despite the controversy that is still in the works, the song now has a Spotify all-time record for reaching 14,996,544 streams in the first 24 hours of its release. 

Grande perseveres by stressing that people must refocus their attention to the theme of female friendships that the song so strongly demonstrates. She tweets that she could not have made the “bop” song without them in her corner.

Grande continues to celebrate what it means to be a woman through her empowering lyrics. She will continue to use her stardom as a platform to encourage her audience around the world to stand as the strong women they are. The young star has only just begun and promises a future full of female empowerment and inspiring messages.