'He was a good friend and was wonderful to my sister'
It was announced last week that US rapper Mac Miller had died of a suspected drug overdose, found dead in his California home on Friday.
There was an outpouring of love following the 26-year-old’s tragic death, with Mac having famously struggled with substance abuse for years.
Celebrities and fans came out in their thousands to pay tribute to the rapper, with his former girlfriend of two years, Ariana Grande, posting a photo of Miller to her Instagram, still yet to speak out about the tragic news.
Ariana's brother, Frankie Grande, spoke out this week, paying an emotional tribute to his friend and sister's ex boyfriend.
'I am beyond heartbroken over Malcolm’s death. He was a good friend and was wonderful to my sister,' Frankie posted to his Instagram account. 'He was the reason I went to the rehabilitation center where I was detoxed safely from all of the drugs alcohol and medications I was taking, when I couldn’t imagine living without them. It was the place where I found the community of support that showed me that living life without drugs was a possibility and I would never have discovered that if it weren’t for Malcolm.'
He continued: 'I remember when I would get 30, 60, 90 days clean and Malcom would be there with a gift and a card and words of encouragement... telling me that he knew how hard getting sober is and how impressed he was that I was succeeding.'
Going on to open a conversation about addiction, Frankie continued: 'Addiction is a TERRIBLE disease… many people are suffering from addiction like I am and many many of them are losing. Those of us who are struggling with addiction must stay strong. We must continue to work HARD on ourselves every single day and help each other. Our disease is strong but WE ARE STRONGER and I vow to work every moment of my life to keep myself sober so that i may be there for others. This is a difficult road but YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TRUDGE IT ALONE.'
'To anyone who needs help, help is there. you just need to have the courage to ask, which I know can be EXTREMELY difficult... but when you do I GUARANTEE support will be there. do not be ashamed if you are losing the battle against addiction, shame feeds the disease, humility defeats it. please ask for help! you are NOT ALONE! I am here... and I will continue to be here... for you... Malcom my friend, you will be dearly missed. and I know you will be looking down on me from heaven, proudAF for every day I live my life clean and sober... 453 days and counting... Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙏💖 '.
Our thoughts are with Mac Miller's friends and family.
