Ariana Grande has shut down rumours that she is dating Niall Horan. Last week, reports linked the US pop star to One Direction's Niall after she was spotted leaving his Hertfordshire mansion in the early hours of the morning, just a few days after he went to see her perform at the O2. Niall was also spotted visiting Ariana at her central London hotel.Strenuously denying claims of a romance with the Irish singer, Ariana spoke of her frustration at the focus on her love life rather than her music. "I'm tired of needing to be linked to a guy," she told the Sun on Sunday. "I'm not Big Sean's ex, I'm not Niall's new possible girl. I'm Ariana Grande."
Ariana Grande denied reports she is dating Niall Horan
The 21-year-old split from rapper Big Sean in April, and much was made of her reported romance with Niall – a story she felt took precedent over her success as a pop star. As such, she took to Twitter on Sunday to post an essay on the unfair treatment of women, and addressing "double standards" and "misogyny" in the media. "What I meant when I said about not being Sean's ex is that I'm tired of living in a world where women are mostly referred to as a man's past, present or future PROPERTY/POSSESSION," she wrote in her lengthy post. "I…do not. Belong. To anyone. But myself. And neither do you…"I know y'all know this but the double standard and misogyny are still ever present. I can't wait to live in a world where people are not valued by who they're dating/ married to/ attached to, having sex with (or not)/ seen with… but by their value as an individual.
"I'm not Big Sean's ex. I'm not Niall's new possible girl. I'm Ariana Grande"
"I want the people reading this to know that they are MORE THAN enough on their own. I want the media to please help me with this!!! Please support each other. I'm saying this after literally 8 years of feeling like I constantly had to have a boy by my side. After being on my own for a few months I am realising that that's just not the case….I have never felt more present, grounded and satisfied. I've never laughed harder or had more fun or enjoyed my life more…"Ariana concluded with a quote by famed American feminist Gloria Steinem that read: "Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke… She will need her sisterhood."Her statement was met with support from other musicians, including Rita Ora, Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift. "I'm so proud of you, always. But especially today," Taylor wrote on Twitter.