Ariana Grande reflects on 'unfair' reception of 2020 album 'Positions'

Positions initially received a lukewarm response, but has since become a fan favorite — ‘Positions’ initially received a lukewarm response, but has since become a fan favorite

Ariana Grande is a little salty about her 2020 album Positions didn’t get the love it deserved during the jump.

Looking back on the initial bumpy reception of the now iconic album during a performance on the American channel Las Culturistas podcast with Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, the Grammy-winning singer revealed that she ultimately shelved “so much of the stuff” she had planned to release after fans didn’t immediately connect with the project.

“When it came out, it actually didn’t go that well,” Grande, 31, admitted, explaining that she got early “This isn’t what we want” vibes from fans.

Grande, a self-described “sensitive artist,” admitted that the mixed reactions kept her from releasing more material beyond the album. “I just remember that it put me in a cage where I had to judge every single piece,” she said, adding half-jokingly, “How is that fair?” as fans have embraced the album ever since.

“Now people are just, they love it like it’s the best thing I’ll ever make,” she joked.

Even with lingering frustrations, Grande also expressed her gratitude for her fans and their passion. “It’s not mine anymore… I’m really grateful for the voices and for the passion,” she said.

Positions eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with hit singles like Positions And 34+35 securing top spots on the Hot 100.