Ariana Grande is reflecting on one of her most precious memories.

The Wicked star shared a story she’s “never” told before about how she found her sound as a musician for her debut album Yours Truly in 2013—revealing for the first time that it was her late boyfriend Mac Miller who encouraged her to take a particular path.

While speaking with students at Chapman University, Ariana said it was the “Best Day Ever” rapper who encouraged her to “make R&B influenced pop music.”

“I’m really thankful for that,” Ariana said in a TikTok video from the conversation shared Dec. 7. Noting that Mac’s advice was the reason he appeared on her single “The Way,” adding, “That’s also part of why I was so eager to ask him to be a part of it.”

“Not only because he was perfect for the song,” she continued, “but I also felt like I had him to thank for finding my sound.”