Ariana Grande tops German charts for first time with new album 'petal'

US pop icon Ariana Grande reached the top of the German charts for the first time on Friday with her new album “petal”, marking a new milestone in the singer’s career.
With her eighth studio album, the 33-year-old singer secured her first-ever number-one position in Germany, according to GfK Entertainment, which compiles the country’s official music charts. The achievement adds another significant chart success to Grande’s career, which has seen her become one of the most commercially successful pop performers of her generation.
Grande released “petal” last week, with the album featuring songs including “hate that i made you love me”. The release has attracted considerable attention from fans and music audiences, arriving as Grande continues to balance her music career with an increasingly demanding schedule of film, theatre and touring commitments.
Shortly after the album’s release, it was reported that Grande plans to step back from the public eye for an unspecified period following the conclusion of her current tour. Her management said that the singer would be taking a break after months of what it described as “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
The announcement has also reignited discussion surrounding the intense public attention Grande has faced over her appearance and body for several years. The singer has previously spoken about the pressures of being constantly scrutinised, particularly through social media, highlighting the difficulties celebrities can face when their appearance becomes a subject of public debate.
Grande is currently on tour promoting her 2024 album “Eternal Sunshine”, which has also returned to the German Top 100 album chart at No 53. Another of her previous releases, “Dangerous Woman”, is also enjoying renewed attention, sitting at No 30.
The German chart success comes as Grande continues to maintain a strong international presence more than a decade after the release of her debut album. Her latest achievement further underlines the enduring popularity of her music among audiences outside the United States.
Meanwhile, the No 1 position on Germany’s singles chart remains unchanged. The World Cup song “Dai Dai” by Shakira and Burna Boy has retained the top spot for a sixth consecutive week, extending its run at the summit. —dpa