Ariana Grande has been subject to much discussion about her appearance and weight loss during the promo tour for Wicked alongside her co-star Cynthia Erivo. Now, the 31-year-old has tearfully responded, criticising the 'comfortability' people have in openly debating others appearances.
Discussion surrounding Ariana’s weight loss started online in early 2023 when photos of her filming the Wicked movie leaked online. Fans commented on her changing appearance, with some defending her by saying the drastic change of her hair colour – which went from brunette to a very light blonde for the movie – made her look so different.
In an emotional interview with Oui Oui Baguette, Ariana addressed the ongoing conversation – and like many interviews from the Wicked press tour, tears were shed.
When asked how she copes with beauty standards, Ariana was clearly taken aback and instantly comforted by Cynthia. The singer and actress, who rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s Victorious in 2010, said, ‘I’ve been doing this in front of the public**,** been a specimen in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all.
‘I've heard every version of it, of what's wrong with me. And then you fix it, then it's wrong for different reasons. 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, “You look skinnier, what happened?” or, “You look heavier, what happened?” That is something that is uncomfortable and horrible no matter where it's happening, no matter the scale it's happening on,' she continued. 'I think 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. From what you're wearing, to your body, to your face.’
Ariana added that she feels ‘lucky to have the support system that I have to know and trust that I’m beautiful.'
This is not the first time that Ariana has responded to commentary about her weight loss. In January, she alluded to the discussion in her hit single yes, and?, singing, ‘My face is sitting, I don’t need no disguise, don’t comment on my body, do not reply, your business is yours and mine is mine.’
And back in April 2023, shortly after the discussions first emerged, she made a rare TikTok addressing fans. ‘I just want to address you concerns about my body and talk a little bit about what it means to be a person with a body and to be seen and to be paid such close attention to. I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what. If you think you’re saying something good or well-intentioned, whatever it is. Healthy, unhealthy, big, small, sexy, not sexy… we just shouldn’t. We should really work towards not doing that as much.’
Ariana continued, ‘There are many different kinds of beautiful, there are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful. And personally, for me, the body that you have 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 what you consider my healthy. But that in fact wasn’t my healthy.’
She went on, ‘You never know what someone is going through. Even if you are coming from a loving and caring place, that person probably is working on it or has a support system that they are working on it with. You never know, so be gentle with each other and with yourselves.’
Three months after the posting of the TikTok video, it was announced that Ariana had separated from her husband Dalton Gomez after two years of marriage. Their divorce was finalised in October 2023. Ariana is now dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.
Samuel McManus is a senior content creator for Bauer Media, writing celebrity news and features across five of the company’s brands – heat, Closer, Grazia, Bella and Yours. Samuel has worked at Bauer Media since November 2024.