Selena Gomez dubbed 'weird' as she kisses Ariana Grande's arm before embracing her at SBIFF

Selena Gomez attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where she met Ariana Grande, who was also awarded the Virtuosos Award along with Gomez
PUBLISHED FEB 11, 2025
Selena Gomez's fans criticized the singer after she was spotted kissing Ariana Grande on her arm at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (X/Pop Crave, Getty Images)
Selena Gomez's fans criticized the singer after she was spotted kissing Ariana Grande on her arm at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (X/Pop Crave, Getty Images)

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA: Selena Gomez was heavily mocked on the internet and labeled "weird" after she was spotted kissing Ariana Grande’s arm during a recent meet-up. 

The two child stars recently crossed paths at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on Sunday, February 9, in Santa Barbara. 



 

While the Rare Beauty founder - who recently found herself embroiled in a controversy for her emotional video over the Trump administration's mass deportation of unlawful migrants - and the ‘Wicked’ star’s meeting was laced with warmth and genuine fondness, fans noticed a weird detail that did not sit well with them.

Selena Gomez kisses Ariana Grande’s arm at Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The 32-year-old ‘Only Murders in the Building’ star recently attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where she met with the Nickelodeon alum, 31, who was also awarded the Virtuosos Award along with Gomez, John Magaro, Sebastian Stan, Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, and Clarence Maclin. 

(L-R) Honorees John Magaro, Sebastian Stan, Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, and Clarence Maclin pose with thei Virtuosos Awards during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 09, 2025 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)
Honorees John Magaro, Sebastian Stan, Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, and Clarence Maclin pose with their Virtuosos Awards during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 9, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California (Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)

In a short clip detailing their meeting that went viral on social media, it can be seen an excited Gomez kissing the arm of Grande before the ‘Thank U, Next’ songstress turned around and embraced the ‘Emilia Perez’ star. 

As the duo embraced and exchanged greetings, they continued to chat, all the while their bodyguards beaming at the friendly moment. Coincidentally, the friendly moment was also highlighted by the song playing in the background - Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds of a Feather’. 

Soon, several fans flocked to social media to voice their opinion about the exchange which they found "weird."

(L-R) Selena Gomez, wearing CHANEL, and Ariana Grande, wearing CHANEL, attend the Academy Women's Luncheon presented by CHANEL at the Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures on December 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage)
Selena Gomez, wearing CHANEL, and Ariana Grande, wearing CHANEL, attend the Academy Women's Luncheon presented by CHANEL at the Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures on December 10, 2024, in Los Angeles, California (Stefanie Keenan/WireImage)

This is, however, not the only meeting the two women had in the recent past. In early December, Gomez and Grande posed happily for another photograph at the Academy Women's Luncheon presented by CHANEL at the Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. 

The 'We Can't Be Friends' hitmaker and Gomez also sat beside each other during the event and later gave an insight into their friendship when they gave a shout-out to each other on Instagram, per Elle.

While Gomez posted a photo of her and Grande on Instagram Story, writing, “an angel on earth,” Grande reposted the Instagram Story and responded, “That’s you @selenagomez.”

Social media calls out Selena Gomez for her 'weird' kiss 

Following Selena Gomez's kiss at Ariana Grande's back, several social media users were left baffled, with many even resorting to asking online why the Rare Beauty founder did so. 

One of the fans boldly asked online, "Why did Selena kiss Ariana's back?"



 

Someone else penned, "Shes trying to suck the singing abilities out of ariana."



 

"Coz she wanted some bone soup," mocked another social media user. 



 

Another fan similarly asked, "Why she kissing her shoulder? 🤨"



 

"Selena is such a weirdo," declared another netizen, before continuing, "Like wtf would you kiss her like that."



 

"Why did Selena kiss her back? She’s so weird," chimed in another similarly. 



 

Someone else, meanwhile, defended the sweet gesture between the two songstresses, noting, "She kissed her arm and because she and Ariana are close friends and she's wholesome and we love them yk."



 

"Because they love each other," added another fan of the duo. 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025