Ariana Grande chokes up as she defends herself against 'dangerous' criticism of her body
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ariana Grande opened up about the intense scrutiny she’s faced over her appearance during a heartfelt conversation with 'Wicked' co-star Cynthia Erivo and French content creator Crazy Sally.
The 31-year-old star, who has grown up in the spotlight, became visibly emotional as she discussed the long-standing pressure to meet societal standards of beauty, as reported by People.
Ariana Grande gets emotional responding to appearance criticism
Reflecting on her years in the public eye, Ariana Grande described feeling like she’s been under constant observation since her teenage years.
“I’ve been doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a Petri dish really since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all. I’ve heard every version of it." Grande went on by saying, “You’re young and you’re hearing all kinds of things.”
Addressing the impact of unsolicited commentary, Grande compared the public scrutiny to family gatherings where relatives comment on changes in appearance.
“It’s hard to protect yourself from that noise. It’s something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you’re experiencing it on, even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and someone's granny says 'Oh my god you look skinnier, what happened?' or 'you look heavier what happened?'.”
She emphasized the harm in such remarks, describing society’s comfort in commenting on personal matters as “dangerous for all parties involved.”
Ariana Grande leaves no space for criticism anymore
Over the years, Ariana Grande has learned to cope by leaning on her support system and rejecting negativity. “I’m really lucky to have the support system that I have and to just know and trust that I’m beautiful,” she shared.
While acknowledging the lasting impact of criticism, Grande said she has taken steps to prioritize her peace: “I just don’t invite it in anymore. I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on. It’s not invited, so I don’t leave space for it anymore.”
Encouraging others to do the same, Grande concluded, “You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s**t.”
Cynthia Erivo praises Ariana Grande’s honesty
Cynthia Erivo, who shared her perspective as an “alternative and different” Black woman, applauded Ariana Grande for her vulnerability. “I’m proud of you for being so honest,” she told her co-star.
Both stars appear in the film adaptation of 'Wicked' and contribute their unique experiences and voices to the beloved characters.
Ariana Grande opens up about her struggles with body image
In April 2023, Ariana Grande shared a candid and emotional message on TikTok, addressing the public’s comments about her body and emphasizing the importance of kindness.
The three-minute confessional saw the singer challenge perceptions of health and beauty, urging followers to approach such discussions with empathy.
Grande explained that comparisons made to her past appearance often labeled as “healthier” were actually misleading.
"There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful. And personally, for me, the body that you've been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body. I was on a lot of anti-depressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy (sic), but that, in fact, wasn't my healthy."
Grande used the opportunity to highlight the importance of understanding the unseen struggles others may face.
"The second thing is you never know what someone is going through, so even if you're coming from a loving place or a caring place, that person probably is working on it or has a support system that they're working on it with. "
She urged her audience to approach conversations about appearance with care, adding, "You never know, so be gentle with each other and yourselves.”
