Madonna inspires Ariana Grande to be "strong".
Ariana Grande
The 'Like A Virgin' hitmaker is a big source of inspiration for the 'Break Free' singer, who praised the pop star for her "bravery and strength".
She said: "I have the utmost respect for that woman. I love her with every ounce of my being, and not just because I'm obsessed with her entire discography.
"I'm so inspired by her bravery and her strength. I can look at her and not be scared to be strong."
And the 23-year-old singer went on to slam those who call women a "b***h or a diva" for being strong.
She added to the April issue of Cosmopolitan magazine: "A lot of times, women are labelled as a b***h or a diva for having a vision and being strong and using their voice, and it's just not the case. You can be strong and be friendly. [We] don't have to be just one thing."
It comes after Ariana admitted she was left feeling "sick and objectified" after an encounter with a male fan.
A note posted to her Twitter read at the time: "went to pick up food with my boyfriend tonight and a young boy followed us to the car to tell Mac that he's a big fan.
"He was loud and excited and by the time M was seated in the drivers seat he was literally almost in the car with us. I thought all of this was cute and exciting until he said 'Ariana is sexy as hell man I see you, I see you hitting that!!!'
"*pause* Hitting that? The f**k?? This may not seem like a big deal to some of you but I felt sick and objectified. I was also sitting right there when he said it. (?)
"I've felt really quiet and hurt since that moment. Things like happen all the time and are the kind of moments that contribute to women's sense of fear and inadequacy. I am not a piece of meat that a man gets to utilize for his pleasure. I'm an adult human being in a relationship with a man who treats me with love and respect.
"It hurts my heart that so many young people are so comfortable using these phrases and objectifying women with such ease. (sic)"
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