Ariana Grande Speaks Out Against Body Shamers
Ariana Grande has had enough of the uninvited commentary on her appearance, and she’s pushing back. During the London press tour for Wicked, Grande opened up in an emotional interview alongside her co-star Cynthia Erivo.
Salima Jeanne Poumbga, a French journalist known as Sally, asked a question that set the stage: “How do you cope with beauty standards to critics? Because this is something that is so overwhelming for women to always look perfect.”
Grande’s reaction was immediate and heartfelt. After pausing, she admitted, “My goodness… I’m not gonna…” That raw response led to a deeply personal discussion about beauty standards and the scrutiny she’s endured throughout her career.
“I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and kind of been, you know, a specimen in a petri dish, really, since I was 16 or 17,” the singer explained. Over the years, she’s faced relentless criticism about her body, with people pointing out what they think is “wrong” with her. Even when she addressed these critiques, new ones would inevitably emerge.
A History of Addressing the Noise
This isn’t the first time Grande has confronted public speculation about her health and appearance. In April 2023, she used TikTok to address the increasing remarks about her body. “I just wanted to address your concerns about my body and talk a little bit about what it means to a person with a body and to be seen … to be paid this close attention to,” she said in the video. “I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what.”
She called out the dangerous comfort society has developed when it comes to commenting on others’ looks or speculating about their health. “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,” she said. “There’s a comfortability that people have commenting on that that I think is really dangerous.”
Finding Peace Amid the Noise
Despite the scrutiny, Grande credits her personal support system with keeping her grounded. “I’m really lucky to have the support system that I have and to just know and trust that I’m beautiful,” she said.
With her candid words and unapologetic attitude, Ariana Grande is reminding the world that no one should be made to feel uncomfortable in their own skin.
