On Jan. 17, Ariana Grande announced her next studio album, called Eternal Sunshine, will be released on March 8. The announcement comes just days after Grande released her first single in three years, “Yes, And?” which hit streaming on Jan. 12. Now that fans have the new album name and release date, they’re wondering the meaning behind Eternal Sunshine. Well, it actually dates back almost exactly 20 years, and it also involves Jim Carrey.
Fans suspected Grande would drop a new album in 2024, thanks to a social media post she put on Instagram on Dec. 27. Grande posted a photo with the caption, “See you next year,” and tagged her producer and Republic Records. Fans knew the album was coming, but not this soon!
As for the meaning of Eternal Sunshine, there is a lot of speculation on what it’s referencing. Grande has made it clear to the public that Jim Carrey is her ultimate idol. Coincidentally, Jim Carrey starred in a movie titled Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which hit theaters in March 2004 — and now, almost exactly 20 years, later, Grande’s album will be released. Grande has spoken about her love for Jim Carrey — her AOL name was even jimcarreyfan42 in the fourth grade. In 2019, she got the chance to star in his show Kidding, and was over the moon about the opportunity to work alongside her biggest idol.
After filming with Carrey, she posted an Instagram photo with the actor and wrote a sincere caption. “Thankful for the most special experience of my life,” she said. “Nothing is crazier than getting to work with and spend time with someone whom you’ve idolized and adored since before you could speak. Actually, what’s even crazier is discovering that person to be more special and warm and generous in person than you ever could’ve imagined.”
Years later, her next studio album seems dedicated to a film starring the comedian.
One might wonder, what does the film have to do with Grande’s music? Well, here’s the breakdown. The film focuses on a couple, Clementine and Joel, following their breakup. Clementine, played by Kate Winslet, undergoes a procedure that erases her memories of ex-boyfriend Joel from her mind. Joel eventually finds out about the procedure and decides to do the same one, forgetting the memory of the love between them. They avoid the pain of their failed relationship, forgetting the emotions and heartbreak between the two. Even though their memories are gone of each other, the idea of the film is the theme of soulmates — despite their wiped memories, they unknowingly make decisions that lead them back to each other. It’s possible Grande is saying the album is dedicated to a soulmate.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was also one her late ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller’s, favorite movies. In a 2014 interview with Complex, he said, “I love Jim Carrey when he’s being serious. He killed this role. Whenever I’m talking to a girl, I always tell them to watch Eternal Sunshine. It cuts deep.”
While fans may have to wait until Eternal Sunshine drops to understand the full meaning of the album name, it’s clear the movie has deep ties to Grande, her music, her love of Jim Carrey, and her love toward Mac.