Ariana Grande just dropped the deluxe edition of Eternal Sunshine this Friday (March 28), and while the new version comes packed with six fresh tracks for fans to obsess over, one in particular is stealing the spotlight: the emotional ballad Hampstead.
And guess what? The song seems to be very much about her ex-husband, Dalton Gomez, whom she was married to for two years from May 2021-July 2023. In the lyrics, Ari also talks about her controversial relationship with Ethan Slater and vents about the insane media pressure.
Friendly reminder: Ariana and Dalton separated in July 2023; Ethan filed for divorce from his wife, Lilly Jay, in July 2023, and just a few weeks later, he and Ari were spotted getting cozy, fueling affair and cheating rumors.
How ‘Hampstead’ Throws Shade at Ariana’s Ex-Husband
Look, we all know Ariana loves a little ex-referencing in her songs, but this time? Yeah, let’s just say she isn’t thankful anymore. Instead, Hampstead is packed with subliminal (and not-so-subliminal) drags.
Right from the start, the best-selling singer gets real about the breakup—acknowledging the pain, but also how much lighter she feels now.
Side-note: Ari was living in Hampstead around the same time her marriage was unraveling:
“I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead / And I misplaced my mind in a good way.”
Ari also throws in a comment about how her reputation took a hit when her relationship with Ethan Slater went public. Since both of them were fresh out of marriage (Ethan had also supposedly recently separated from his wife at the time—or not), the media went wild, and the hate was real, accusing both parties of having an affair:
“Threw away my reputation but saved us more heartache.”
The popular star also makes it clear that the cheating accusations (whether from the media or Dalton himself) are straight-up nonsense. She even goes as far as calling the source of these lies (or perhaps Dalton?) “dumb.”
“You’re still wrong about everything…Cause I think to be so dumb must be nice.”
Then, the singer repeats, “I do” multiple times—aka, a not-so-subtle nod to her wedding vows with Dalton.
And just when you thought she was done, Ariana brings back POV—but with a whole new meaning. What was once a love letter to Dalton during their marriage, is now pure shade:
“Rather be seen and alive than dying by your point of view.”
Why Is Hampstead So Important to Ariana?
The song title isn’t just random—Hampstead holds a lot of meaning for Ariana. It’s the name of a neighborhood in London where she lived while filming Wicked. At first, she shared the place with Dalton Gomez, but after their split, she stayed there alone. The breakup happened during the production of the musical, right before she started dating her co-star Ethan Slater.
Ari has always spoken fondly of Hampstead. In an interview with Radio 1, she gushed:
“I loved my walks on the Heath. I loved meandering around and visiting different shops and places and pubs.”
Ariana Continues to Drag Dalton on ‘Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead’
In case the Hampstead lyrics weren’t enough for you to gasp and shout yas gurl, Ariana also roasts her ex-husband on other tracks on the album.
In Twilight Zone, the singer croons, “Not that I miss you, I don’t / Sometimes, I just can’t believe you happened / It’s not like I’d ever change a thing / ‘Cause I’m right here where I’m meant to be / Not that I’d call you, I won’t / Sometimes, I just can’t believe you happened.”
Ouch.
She also puts Dalton in her “past life” by singing, “Might f*ck around and elevate my expectations / Now I’m fine to leave you in a past life.”
In the same song (Past Life), Ari adds, “I used to think you were the medicine, but you were just code blue” — the line clearly alludes to her song Love Language which was written during her relationship with Dalton, and includes the lyric, “You the medication when I’m feeling anxious.”
In other news: Are Ariana and Ethan Slater over?
Even though Hampstead makes it sound like Ariana is all in with Ethan, the internet has been buzzing with breakup rumors for a while now.
Blind items are hinting that the two have called it quits, because Ari was emotionally distant—and possibly already vibing with someone else (according to the theories: it’s Paul Mescal).
The breakup rumors have even sparked some funny reactions online. Arianators have never been Ethan’s biggest fans—either because of the whole messy situation or because they just think Ariana is way too good for him.
So… is Ariana already saying “thank u, next” again? While Hampstead is definitely shading her ex Dalton, I’m not entirely convinced about the breakup rumors with Ethan. What do you think? Sound off in the comments!
Read the full ‘Hampstead’ lyrics below:
[Verse 1]
I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead
And I misplaced my mind in a good way
Threw away my reputation, but saved us more heartache
Yes, I know it seems fucked up and you’re right
But quite frankly, you’re still wrong about everything
So far off, your seat’s nowhere near the table
But I find something sweet in your peculiar behavior
‘Cause I think to be so dumb must be nice
I do, I do, I do, I do
[Pre-Chorus]
What makes you think you’re even invited?
The doors are closed with lights off inside and all the while
There’s no one home, you’re still outside
I wonder why
[Chorus]
What’s wrong with a little bit of poison? Tell me
I would rather feel everything than nothing every time
Uh-uh, fear me, stranger
A little bit of sugar, danger
I’d rather be seen and alive than dying by your point of view
I do, I do, I do, I do
[Verse 2]
I don’t remember too much of the last year
But I knew who I was when I got here
‘Cause I’m still the same but only entirely different
And my lover’s just some lines in some songs
(Mhm, mhm, mhm, mhm)
[Pre-Chorus]
You think you’ve read the book I’m still writing
I can’t imagine wanting so badly to be right
Guess I’m forever on your mind
I wonder why
[Chorus]
What’s wrong with a little bit of poison? Tell me (Tell me)
I would rather feel everything than nothing every time (Every, every time)
Uh-uh, fear me, stranger (Stranger)
A little bit of sugar (Sugar), danger (Danger)
I’d rather be seen and alive than dying by your point of view
[Outro]
Rather be swimming with you than drowning in a crowded room
I do, I do, I do, I do
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