Following the news of Mac Miller's death from an apparent overdose on Friday, a source tells ET that his ex, Ariana Grande, is "devastated" by the tragic news. “Although the two ended their relationship, Ariana always shared a deep connection with Mac and wanted nothing but the best for him," the source added of the couple, who announced their split in May after nearly two years together. "Ariana is very upset." A second source also tells ET that Grande is heartbroken, adding, “Despite their split, Ariana had always been supportive of his sobriety." Grande and Miller, real name: Malcolm James McCormick, were first romantically linked in August 2016 and released several songs together, including "The Way" and "My Favorite Part." Ariana Grande and Mac Miller Split This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. Ariana Grande and Mac Miller Split Following their split earlier this year, Grande took to Instagram to address the breakup. "This is one of my best friends in the whole world and favorite people on the planet Malcolm McCormick," the 24-year-old "Sweetener" singer wrote at the time, sharing a snap of the pair holding hands. "I respect and adore him endlessly and am grateful to have him in my life in any form, at all times regardless of how our relationship changes or what the universe holds for each of us." "Unconditional love is not selfish," she continued. "It is wanting the best for that person even if at the moment, it's not you. I can't wait to know and support you forever and I'm so proud of you!!" However, following Miller's arrest on a DUI charge later that month, the singer addressed the rapper's struggles with sobriety on Twitter, in response to a Twitter user who wrote, "Mac Miller totaling his G wagon and getting a DUI after Ariana Grande dumped him for another dude after he poured his heart out on a ten song album to her called the divine feminine is just the most heartbreaking thing happening in Hollywood." Grande, who is now engaged to Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson, replied with a lengthy response, calling her relationship with the rapper, and his sobriety, "toxic." "How absurd you minimize female self-respect and self-worth by saying someone should stay in a toxic relationship because he wrote an album about them, which btw isn't the case (just Cinderealla is ab me)," she tweeted. "I am not a babysitter or a mother and no woman should feel that they need to be. I have cared for him and tried to support his sobriety & prayed for his balance for years (and always will of course) but shaming/blaming women for a man's inability to keep his sh** together is a very major problem." "Let's please stop doing that," the singer continued. "Of course I didn't share how hard or scary it was while it was happening but it was. I will continue to pray from the bottom of my heart that he figures it all out and that any other woman in this position does as well." See more on the former couple's relationship in the video below. Ariana Grande Opens Up About 'Toxic' Relationship With Mac Miller This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. RELATED CONTENT: Mac Miller Dead at 26: Chance the Rapper, Questlove and More React Mac Miller Dead at 26 After Apparent Overdose Related Gallery<doc-sep>The rapper was found dead of an apparent overdose at the age of 26, PEOPLE confirms Fans and fellow artists have flocked to Twitter to share their grief over the death of Mac Miller. The 26-year-old musician was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m. at his Studio City, California, home, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. A cause of death is yet to be determined, but a source tells PEOPLE the rapper had gone into cardiac arrest after appearing to suffer a drug overdose. Get push notifications with news, features and more. Miller — born Malcolm James McCormick — long battled substance abuse issues, particularly in the wake of his split with longtime girlfriend, Ariana Grande. In May he was arrested on DUI and hit-and-run charges. “I made a stupid mistake,” Miller said during an interview with Beats 1 host Zayn Lowe in July. “I’m a human being. Like, [I] drove home drunk. But it was the best thing that could have happened. … I needed that. I needed to run into that light pole and literally, like, have the whole thing stop.” Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - September 20, 2016 Mac Miller | Credit: Robin Marchant/Getty “Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26,” his family said in a statement provided to PEOPLE. “He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy. There are no further details as to the cause of his death at this time.” Chance the Rapper was among those who offered his thoughts, revealing that Miller played a major role in helping launch his career. Post Malone echoed Chance’s words, saying that Miller was a major inspiration to him as a burgeoning artist. John Mayer, who played guitar on the track “Small Worlds” from Miller’s latest album Swimming, posted a blank image on Instagram in tribute. “I’m so sad you couldn’t stay, Mac,” he wrote. “I’m so terribly sad.” He later added a second post ruminating on their friendship. G-Eazy posted a photo of the two with a moving caption for the late rapper. “Completely devastated and heart broken I’m at a loss for words mac you were like a brother to me and were there for me in the hardest of times, especially this summer. I can’t believe this is real,” he wrote. “Please tell your friends and the people you care about you love them life is so fucking fragile. You will be missed and your music will live on forever through the millions of people you touched. Thank you for all you gave us, love you bro.” Macklemore wrote a heartfelt message about his own struggles with substance abuse. “Such a genuine person. Brilliant sense of humor. A true artist. Your spirit is what impressed me the most. The energy you brought to any space you were in. Contagious. You reached out to me at times when others didn’t. You were human. And we shared the same disease. A disease that is out to kill us, and when left untreated eventually will.” He continued, “I’m shaken. Shaken that someone who had such a light can be taken from this world so easily. It could have been me too many times to count. On the surface people that appear to have it all, are not exempt from the gravity and cunning nature of this disease. If you’re in the midst of addiction tell someone what’s going on. Don’t be a secret. Go to a 12 step meeting. Introduce yourself and you’ll be greeted with love and understanding from people that are fighting the same battle. Surrender. There are many paths, but it’s the only thing that has worked for me. I’m scared. Scared of how real this all is. Life and death.” Macklemore concluded, “Beyond sad. Such a beautiful soul. Sending love to family, friends and everyone whose life was better because of your presence on this earth. Rest In Peace Mac 💔” Charlie Puth, DJ Khaled, Khalid, Kehlani, and famed jeweler Ben Baller also tweeted messages of love to the late star. “All of us at Warner Bros. Records are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Mac Miller’s untimely passing. Mac was a hugely gifted and inspiring artist, with a pioneering spirit and a sense of humor that touched everyone he met,” Tom Corson, co-chairman and COO of Miller’s record company said in a statement. “Mac’s death is a devastating loss and cuts short a life and a talent of huge potential, where the possibilities felt limitless. We join all of his fans across the globe in extending our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.” If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.<doc-sep>Products in this story are independently selected and featured editorially. If you make a purchase using these links we may earn commission. Ariana Grande and Mac Miller first went public with their relationship in September 2016 Before Ariana Grande and her late ex-boyfriend Mac Miller began dating, the pair formed a deep friendship that began with one of their mutual loves: music. Although the former couple called it quits earlier this year after almost two years of dating, the pair remained on good terms up until Miller’s death on Friday. Get push notifications with news, features and more. Miller (real name: Malcolm McCormick) was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m. at his Studio City, California, home, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. A cause of death is yet to be determined, but a source tells PEOPLE the rapper had gone into cardiac arrest after appearing to suffer a drug overdose. Here’s a look back at Grande and Miller’s past relationship. Started with Friendship In September 2016, Grande confirmed her relationship with Miller on social media — but before that, the pair was good friends. The rapper reached out to Grande when he thought she would be a great artist to feature on the track “My Favorite Part” on his fourth album The Divine Feminine. “I wrote that love song before I saw her. We’re very good friends first and foremost,” Miller told PEOPLE at the taping of the AT&T Audience Network Presents series in September 2016. “We made that song and started becoming close again. It’s very dope and I like how that worked out.” Miller and Grande had previously collaborated on her hit song “The Way”, so it wasn’t the first time they’d worked together, but in this session it was like no time had passed. “It was great. There was no awkwardness or weirdness, it was how it always was,” the rapper continued. “Just both of us older, more mature and more sure of ourselves. When we first recorded together we were young and figuring it out, which we still are, but now seeing her growth and my growth – it’s great.” The two performed “My Favorite Part” at the weekly music series and their chemistry was fierce. At the end of the song, Grande shook Miller’s hand, as though to thank him jokingly for doing business with her, and walked off stage. “Pleasure working with you,” he said, to which she replied: “I’ll be in touch.” 134391_0178 Credit: Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty After the cameras stopped rolling, Grande went back on stage to put her hands on his shoulders and they shared a sweet moment. She cupped his face in her hands, leaned in and kissed him, at which point Miller kissed her right back. “We hung out for a long time and everything just happened organically. We love making music together – we do that always,” said Miller. “But she’s my best friend in the world.” 2016 MTV Video Music Awards - Backstage & Audience Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Two Years of Love Miller had been Grande’s rock throughout their relationship, supporting her as she recovered emotionally after a suicide bombing occurred at her show on May 22 last year in Manchester, England. The terrorist attack killed 22 of the singer’s fans and injured 119 others. On June 4, 2017, the “Side to Side” singer hosted the One Love Manchester concert attended by Miller. The two performed “The Way” and “Dang!” while also sharing a kiss on stage. Earlier this year, the two were photographed together in March at Madonna’s private Oscars afterparty and remained by each other’s sides while holding hands in photos. In April, the rapper raved about Grande on Twitter after she released her new single “No Tears Left to Cry.” “No Tears Left to Cry” marked the first new music Grande had released since the Manchester bombing in May 2017. “Very proud of this girl right here. Welcome back. We missed You. One of a kind,” Miller tweeted. ariana-mac Credit: Kevin Mazur/One Love Manchester/Getty Images Going Their Separate Ways In May, PEOPLE confirmed that the pair had split. The rapper and the singer decided to go their separate ways as their busy schedules became too much for the pair to continue as a couple, according to TMZ. Following the split, Grande opened up about the breakup and called Miller one of her “favorite people on the planet.” “This is one of my best friends in the whole world and favorite people on the planet,” Grande wrote of Miller in an Instagram story. “I respect and adore him endlessly and am grateful to have him in my life in any form, at all times regardless of how our relationship changes or what the universe holds for each of us!” In the post, Grande shared a throwback photo of them cuddling on a couch and added a heart-shaped emoji. “Unconditional love is not selfish. It is wanting the best for that person even if at the moment, it’s not you,” Grande added. “I can’t wait to know and support you forever and i’m so proud of you!” Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - March 04, 2018 Mac Miller and Ariana Grande | Credit: GC Images His Forever Cinderella Although they had gone their separate ways, one aspect about their relationship will forever be immortalized in song. While defending herself against accusations that she was responsible for Miller’s May DUI arrest, Grande revealed on that his song “Cinderella” is actually about her. The news had the heads of Arianators spinning, as “Cinderella” — off of Miller’s latest album, The Divine Feminine — is filled with explicit lyrics about the couple’s more intimate moments in the bedroom. “You in my dreams, that’s why I sleep all the time / Just to hear you say I love you, just to touch you,” Miller rapped in one of the more PG-rated lines. Fool's Gold Presents Day Off, Los Angeles, USA - 25 Sep 2016 Mac Miller and Ariana Grande | Credit: David X Prutting/BFA/REX/Shutterstock Moving On<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Celeb obsessed? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Rapper Mac Miller has died aged just 26. Ariana Grande's ex-boyfriend was found dead following an apparent overdose, TMZ reports. Mac, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had been having trouble with substance abuse recently following his break up from Ariana. The Dang! rapper - real name Malcolm James McCormick - died on Friday at his Studio City, San Fernando Valley home. "Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26," his family said in a statement. (Image: CBS) (Image: Splash News) "He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends and fans. Thank you for your prayers. Please respect our privacy. There are no further details as to the cause of his death at this time." His most recent album, Swimming, was just released on August 3 and was due to go on tour next month. On Thursday night, Mac had posted a video of a record player with a song from one of his albums playing. In his last post on Twitter, he told his nearly 9million followers: "I just wanna go on tour." (Image: Splash News) (Image: SPLASH) An investigation into Mac's death is underway, authorities have said. ABC30 reports that law enforcement vehicles have been seen parked near the rapper's home. A coroner's van was seen arriving at the scene shortly before 2.30pm. Mac signed a recording contract in early 2010 with Pittsburgh-based indie label Rostrum Records, and began working on his debut album Blue Slide Park. It was released in November 2011 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first independently-distributed album to top the charts since Tha Dogg Pound's Dogg Food in 1995. In 2013, Mac launched his own record label, REMember Music, named after a friend who had died. After releasing his second album, Movies with the Sound Off, he announced he was no longer signed to Rostrum Records. (Image: Splash News) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now In 2014, it was reported that Mac had signed a deal for himself and his label with Warner Bros Records. Fellow stars paid tribute after the news broke. Singer Shawn Mendes wrote on Twitter: "Unreal. So sad. RIP Mac Miller" Actor Jaden Smith said: "Long Live Mac Miller, Rest In Peace We Love You" Wiz Khalifa posted: "Praying for Mac’s family and that he rest easy " And Chance The Rapper said: "I dont know what to say Mac Miller took me on my second tour ever. "But beyond helping me launch my career he was one of the sweetest guys I ever knew. Great man. I loved him for real. Im completely broken. God bless him." J. Cole posted: "Rest In Peace to the great soul Mac Miller" (Image: CBS) (Image: Splash News) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now In May, he was arrested for driving under the influence and hit and run when he wrecked his car by crashing into a utility pole. He fled the scene but cops later got a confession out of him at his home. He was twice over the legal limit. After the arrest, Ariana tweeted him saying: "Pls take care of yourself". Ariana, who is now engaged to comedian Pete Davidson, made it clear after their break up that his substance abuse had played a part in the breakdown of their two-year romance. Mac had addressed his drug use issues on his 2014 mixtape Faces. (Image: BBC) (Image: BBC) (Image: BBC) There were also references to premature death. Speaking about it, he once told Vulture: "I used to rap super openly about really dark shit." Mac also opened up about how the public perceived him. He said: "You know what’s funny? I feel like the public perception of me varies on who you ask. But there’s a bit of a freedom in knowing that people are going to think all types of s**t, no matter what. "It actually makes me less stressed about how my actions are perceived. It’s out of my control. I mean, to a degree … I could control it. "I could live this squeaky clean life and everything. I could try to control the media. "But I’ve been finding freedom in just living and letting people say whatever the f**k they want." Mac had been dating Ariana when her concert in Manchester was targeted by a suicide bomber last year, when 22 of her fans were killed. He supported her through the tragedy and returned to the city with her for her One Love Manchester fundraising concert. Mac took to the stage with Ariana to perform for the crowd to perform duet The Way and Dang!<doc-sep>
Rapper Mac Miller was found dead on Friday of an apparent overdose, Variety has confirmed. He was 26. He was found in his Studio City, Calif., home at about noon. His family released a statement about his death on Friday afternoon. “Malcolm McCormick, known and adored by fans as Mac Miller, has tragically passed away at the age of 26,” reads the statement. “He was a bright light in this world for his family, friends, and fans.” Miller had struggled with substance abuse in the past. Just last month, the Los Angeles Attorney’s Office officially charged the rapper with a DUI stemming from a car accident in May in the San Fernando Valley. He had been open about his struggles previously, referencing drug abuse and death in his music, particularly in the deeply personal 2014 mixtape “Faces.” “I used to rap super openly about really dark s—,” he told Vulture in a profile that published on Thursday. “That’s what I was experiencing at the time. That’s fine, that’s good, that’s life. It should be all the emotions.” Miller had been in a long-term relationship with Ariana Grande, which ended this past May. Shortly after his car accident and arrest that same month, Grande tweeted “pls take care of yourself.” When discussing their breakup, Grande made it clear addiction was part of the reason for their split. “I am not a babysitter or a mother and no woman should feel that they need to be,” she wrote on Twitter. “I have cared for him and tried to support his sobriety and prayed for his balance for years (and always will of course) but shaming/blaming women for a man’s inability to keep his s— together is a very major problem.” Miller had just been preparing to embark on a U.S. tour after releasing his most recent album, “Swimming,” on Aug. 3. It was set to kick off on Oct. 27 in San Francisco. “I just wanna go on tour,” he tweeted on Thursday. “The show is going to be special every night. I wish it started tomorrow.” “Swimming” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, supported by singles “Small Worlds,” “Self Care,” and “What’s the Use?” In “Self Care,” he references his DUI and arrest, rapping, “That Mercedes drove me crazy, I was speedin’ / Somebody save me from myself, yeah / Tell them they can take that bullsh– elsewhere / Self care, we gonna be good / Hell yeah, they lettin’ me go.” In the music video for the single, he also uses a knife to carve the words “Memento mori” — “remember you have to die” in Latin — into the lid of the coffin. Aside from his music, Miller’s reality show “Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family” ran for two seasons on MTV2. He also appeared in 2013’s “Scary Movie 5” in a small role alongside Snoop Dogg. Miller, a Pittsburgh native, decided to focus on hip-hop when he was in high school. In 2007, when he was just 15, he released the mixtape “But My Mackin’ Ain’t Easy” under the name EZ Mac. In the following couple of years, he released two solo mixtapes, “The Jukebox: Prelude to Class Clown” and “The High Life,” in addition to one with rap group the Ill Spoken. He signed a deal with indie record label Rostrum Records in 2010. The rapper led his 2011 mixtape, “Best Day Ever,” with the single “Donald Trump,” which marked the first time Miller hit the Billboard 100. It focused on Miller’s ambitions to become as financially successful as Trump, and resurfaced in popularity when Trump hit the presidential campaign trial in 2016. Miller, however, has since said that he was not a political supporter of Trump, describing him as “an egomaniacal, attention-thirsty, psychopathic, power-hungry, delusional waste of skin and bones” during the campaign, and sparking a Twitter war. His first studio album, “Blue Slide Park,” came in 2011, led by the single “Frick Park Market.” It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, becoming the first independently released debut album to do so since 1995. He released “Watching Movies With the Sound Off,” his second album, in 2013. It was largely produced by himself, under the pseudonym Larry Fisherman, and featured guest appearances such as Schoolboy Q, Action Bronson, and Tyler, the Creator. Critics handed better reviews to his sophomore album, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.