Following the death of rapper Mac Miller, Frankie Grande, the brother of his ex-girlfriend Ariana Grande, has issued a statement via Instagram.
In the lengthy caption, Grande retells the story of how Miller encouraged him to seek treatment at a rehabilitation center.
“I am beyond heartbroken over Malcolm’s death,” he writes. “He was a good friend and was wonderful to my sister. He was the reason I went to the rehabilitation center where I was detoxed safely from all of the drugs alcohol and medications I was taking, when I couldn’t imagine living without them.
It was the place where I found the community of support that showed me that living life without drugs was a possibility and I would never have discovered that if it weren’t for Malcolm.
I remember when I would get 30, 60, 90 days clean and Malcolm would be there with a gift and a card and words of encouragement… telling me that he knew how hard getting sober is and how impressed he was that I was succeeding.”
“Addiction is a TERRIBLE disease… many people are suffering from addiction like I am and many many of them are losing. Those of us who are struggling with addiction must stay strong. We must continue to work HARD on ourselves every single day and help each other.
Our disease is strong but WE ARE STRONGER and I vow to work every moment of my life to keep myself sober so that i may be there for others. This is a difficult road but YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TRUDGE IT ALONE. To anyone who needs help, help is there. you just need to have the courage to ask, which I know can be EXTREMELY difficult… but when you do I GUARANTEE support will be there. do not be ashamed if you are losing the battle against addiction, shame feeds the disease, humility defeats it. please ask for help! you are NOT ALONE! I am here… and I will continue to be here… for you… Malcom my friend, you will be dearly missed. and I know you will be looking down on me from heaven, proudAF for every day I live my life clean and sober… 453 days and counting… Thank you from the bottom of my heart ???????? AA: (212) 870-3400
NA: (818) 773-9999
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: :800-273-9255″
Ariana and Mac dated for almost two years at which time the Grande family reportedly became very close with the rapper.
“Her entire family is in shock too. They all grew close to Mac during his relationship with Ari,” an insider told Us Weekly. “He was a huge part of her life, and they always shared such a special bond. She wanted nothing but positivity in Mac’s life after they broke up.”
