Ariana Grande Posts Cryptic Thank You Note to Madonna & Fans Have Theories

It looks like Ariana Grande might have had some tears left to cry during this special moment.

Grande posted a picture Wednesday (July 11) with Madonna, someone Grande has consistently cited as an inspiration and mentor. The caption on the photo read “thank you @madonna… u know why,” with a heart emoji and an emoji of the Golden Gate Bridge — an emoji Grande has used often when posting about her new music. This is not the first time the two hitmakers have met, as Grande joined Madonna onstage in Miami during her Rebel Heart Tour and also performed at Madonna’s 2016 charity event at Art Basel in Miami.

The picture excited Grande’s fans and also sparked curiosity as to why the picture was posted now, and whether the pic is from a prior event or was taken recently. Grande has been finishing up her upcoming studio album Sweetener (due Aug. 17), and fans were quick to hope and wish — just like a prayer — that a Madonna collaboration will be on the album.

Check out the tweet from Grande below, including some fans who broke free and unleashed their excitement about the picture.

thank you @madonna … u know why
♡ pic.twitter.com/ZLZnCmJ2xw

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 11, 2018

ariana has been going to the studio lately…. ariana is thanking madonna for something they both know….. according to my calculations ariana and madonna collaborated and couldn’t be happier for her (i was hacked if they didn’t)

— mona (@arianashijabi) July 11, 2018