**Frankie Grande’s Journey of Self-Acceptance, Sobriety, and Broadway Success**
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Frankie Grande, known to many as the flamboyant star of the Tony-nominated musical *Titanique*, has recently opened up about his personal journey in an exclusive interview with *PEOPLE*. In anticipation of his upcoming memoir, *Supergay!* set to be released on June 23, the former reality TV star and brother to pop icon Ariana Grande reflects on his path to self-acceptance, sobriety, and his experiences on Broadway.
Emerging from the shadows of familial fame and public scrutiny, Grande has long recognised that people perceive various versions of him. “Everyone has a version of me that they know,” he shared. Now, at the age of 43, he feels it is time to present his authentic self to the world. In *Supergay!*, he candidly recounts his struggles with identity and the exhilaration of embracing his sexuality, a journey that was not always straightforward.
Raised in Florida, Grande describes his upbringing in a region that he found largely unwelcoming for queer individuals. It wasn’t until he joined the ensemble cast of *Mamma Mia!* on Broadway in 2007, at the age of 23, that he began to accept his identity. Surrounded by confident peers, he felt a surge of liberation, allowing him to embrace his true self for the first time.
Grande’s Broadway career flourished, leading to his performance in *Rock of Ages* in 2014 and subsequently becoming a contestant on *Big Brother*. However, as his fame ascended, he fell into the depths of addiction to drugs and alcohol, which he initially turned to as an escape from life’s challenges. In his memoir, he explicitly states, “They took my pain away. And so I happily allowed myself to be drawn into the abyss of addiction.”
Despite several attempts to achieve sobriety, it was the summer of 2017 that marked a pivotal moment for Grande. Following the emotional aftermath of the *One Love Manchester* concert, which had affected him deeply, he found himself overwhelmed with guilt and isolation. “I just wished that I could be connected to them,” he recalls. When forced to confront this pain, he realised he had two choices: either succumb to his addiction or seek the help he desperately needed.
On June 16, 2017, Grande took a significant step by checking into rehab, spurred by the love and support of his sister, Ariana. Celebrating nine years of sobriety this year, he expresses immense gratitude for choosing to live. “I’m so grateful I chose life,” he remarked, acknowledging how addiction strained his relationships—especially with his mother, Joan Grande, and Ariana.
With sobriety came the resurgence of dreams long deemed abandoned. Grande notes that the successful transition from rehab to the stage in *Titanique* was a “gift” that he had initially given up hope of receiving. “I wasn’t getting cast in anything,” he stated, reflecting on the intensity of his personal struggles. Now starring in this nostalgic parody of the 1997 blockbuster, he plays the role of Victor Garber/Luigi, a character he originally portrayed in the Off-Broadway production.
Since its Broadway debut in April, *Titanique* has garnered substantial acclaim, along with four Tony Award nominations. Yet, for Grande, the true accolade lies in his ability to reclaim his narrative. “It feels different now,” he explained, recognising the personal validation that accompanies his ongoing success. “I really, truly do feel like I have earned it in a way that maybe I never have in the past… I’m in so much gratitude.”
Through his memoir and stage performances, Frankie Grande offers a compelling story of resilience and transformation. As he prepares for the release of *Supergay!*, he invites readers to embark on this journey of self-discovery, underscoring the importance of authenticity, love, and the power of second chances. Ultimately, his story serves as both an inspiration and a reminder of the strength it takes to embrace one’s true self while rebuilding essential life connections.