Ariana Grande Rushes to Bedside of Ailing Grandfather, Who Battled Cancer

"Problem" and "Break Free" singer has been sharing photos of her 90-year-old Gramps on Instagram throughout the Fourth of July weekend

By Corinne Heller Jul 05, 2014 11:29 PMTags
Ariana Grande, InstagramInstagram

If you were on Twitter during this Fourth of July weekend, you may have seen a troubling trending hashtag, #PrayForGrandpaGrande.

That is because Ariana Grande has been receiving scores of messages of support from her some 16.3 million followers as she tweets heartbreaking posts about taking care of her ailing grandfather, who has been battling cancer. She had flown from New York to her native Florida before Independence Day to be with him and her grandmother.

"Love u grandps i need u please pull thru," she tweeted on Friday, July 4.

On Thursday, July 3, the pop star posted several photos of her grandfather, lying on a bed, on her Twitter and Instagram pages.

The 21-year-old singer of top radio hit "Problem" and new single "Break Free" and star of the series Sam & Cat has tweeted about her grandfather's illness before, including on World Cancer Day on Feb. 4 and on June 6, when she said his "cancer was at bay and the malignant cancer is GONE." She added, "My 90 y/o grandpa is a f--king hero," and "an inspiration and a fighter."

Her fans have dubbed him "Grandpa Grande" and have spurred trending hashtags supporting him in the past.

Grande said on Twitter, in response to a fan's question on July 3, that her grandfather's cancer is still "at bay but the treatment (chemo + radiation) really took a toll on him ... he's havin a lil trouble."

Later that day, he appeared to be in better spirits. 

"Finally a happy grandps.... he's laughing at his own joke.... told me my hair's too big," said the singer, who has often sported a '60s style ponytail at public events.

Following scores of supportive messages posted by fans, Grande said later on July 4, "Thank u for the prayers. My loves u are so powerful... u are in my heart."

"I wish Frankie were here. Grandpa said 'no he gotta win the game!' she added.

Her older brother, Frankie, is currently competing on the CBS reality show Big Brother.

"Gonna try my best to put my selfishness aside thru this... as much as i want grandps here with me.. i should just want him to be comfortable," Grande added about her grandfather. "Wish u knew how incredible he is.... humble, respectful, hardworking, polite, thoughtful, humorous, generous. an example for all gentlemen. He is all things wonderful."

On Saturday, July 5, she tweeted, "Grandpa says his favorite song of mine is 'promise'..... I think he means 'problem'..... he likes the saxophone."

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