Ariana Grande's fame and ‘demanding’ schedule amid ‘Wicked’ press tours taking a toll on her health

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ariana Grande has reached new heights in her career with the success of 'Wicked,' which has become the highest-grossing film based on a Broadway musical.

She also earned an Oscar nomination, solidifying her place as one of the industry's biggest stars. 

Ariana Grande has to 'always remain on'

However, insiders reveal that the film's demanding schedule, intense press tours, and personal struggles have taken a toll on the 31-year-old singer and actress.

Grande's appearance at the BAFTA Film Awards sparked concern as she looked noticeably slim, raising worries among friends and fans. Those close to her attribute the change to stress and anxiety.

"It’s physically so demanding," a former colleague of Grande’s told Page Six, referring to the 'Wicked' promotional blitz along with her relationship with co-star Ethan Slater.

"I don’t even think your body knows when it needs to eat. You’re sleeping when you’re supposed to be up, and you’re up when you’re supposed to be sleeping. Between that, and the fashion women deal with – the hair, the makeup, and the nails – it’s nonstop running. It’s superhuman," the source said.

The same source noted that her demanding schedule leaves little room for self-care. "It’s just the non-stop running on that kind of schedule and that kind of level. It definitely takes a toll on your health — it’s that much harder to take care of yourself — mentally as well as physically."

“You always have to be on. You have to really be measured about what you say, you always have to be thinking, ‘If I say this, is it going to come out like this?’ Your brain is nonstop working," the source added as per the publication. 

Another former associate said that Grande has always dealt with anxiety but remained grounded. "I never got a sense from her that she didn’t like who she was or how she looked," the person said.

Ariana Grande addresses speculation about her health

Concern over Ariana Grande’s appearance began in early 2023 when photos from the set of 'Wicked' showed her with a noticeably slimmer frame.

Addressing the online speculation, Grande spoke in an emotional interview with French content creator Crazy Sally, while promoting 'Wicked' in London in December.

"I’ve heard every version of it, of what’s wrong with me, and then you fix it, and then it’s wrong for different reasons," she said.

She also expressed frustration over public scrutiny. "In today’s society, there’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all, commenting on others’ looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves … you never know what someone is going through," Grande added.

Ariana Grande's personal hardships 

Ariana Grande has faced several personal hardships. In 2017, a suicide bombing at her concert in Manchester killed 22 people and injured hundreds, leaving her with PTSD, grief, and anxiety.

She later said music helped her cope, releasing back-to-back albums in 2018 and 2019. Her struggles continued with the 2018 accidental overdose of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, which left her devastated.

"Mac is her true love — and is always going to be front and center [in her mind], what could she have done to save him. She’s got a lot of guilt from that," the source who previously worked with Grande said.

"She’s had some really traumatic things happen — she probably feels better just to work as much as possible," they added.

Her romantic life has also been turbulent., with a brief engagement to Pete Davidson and a 2021 marriage to Dalton Gomez. She is currently in a relationship with Ethan Slater, whom she met on the set of 'Wicked'.

Both Slater and Grande divorced their spouses and remained together.

Despite her ability to push through difficulties, sources question whether her relationship with Slater will last. Joey LaVarco, a friend and former co-star, said Grande is "thick-skinned" and can perform under stress but noted that her career is "a roller coaster," the publication reported.