Ariana Grande Opens Up About Weight Comments: “It’s Overwhelming”

During a press tour for her upcoming film Wicked, pop sensation Ariana Grande was moved to tears while addressing public concerns and criticism surrounding her weight and appearance.

The 31-year-old singer and actress was asked by French reporter Sally about society’s beauty standards and the relentless pressure women face to maintain a “perfect” image.

Grande’s response was heartfelt and raw, reflecting the intense scrutiny she has faced throughout her career.

“My goodness. I’m not gonna–” Grande said, pausing to compose herself as tears welled up. “Good question.”

Her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, who was present during the interview, offered her support as Grande continued to share her thoughts on the issue.

“A Specimen in a Petri Dish”

Reflecting on her journey in the spotlight, Grande remarked, “I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17.

I’ve heard every version of what’s ‘wrong’ with me. You fix one thing, and it’s suddenly wrong for a different reason.”

The Side to Side singer described how these criticisms have ranged from her physical appearance to perceived changes in her health.

“It’s hard to protect yourself from that noise,” she admitted, particularly when growing up under such intense public scrutiny.

Grande likened the experience to situations many can relate to, such as unsolicited comments from family members.

“Even at Thanksgiving dinner, someone’s granny might say, ‘You look skinnier! What happened?’ or ‘You look heavier! What happened?’ It’s horrible either way.”

The Problem with Appearance Commentary

Grande also addressed the broader societal issue of commenting on others’ looks, stating, “I think there’s a level of comfort people feel in judging others’ appearances or speculating about what’s going on behind the scenes. But we shouldn’t be comfortable doing that at all.”

Despite the challenges, Grande expressed gratitude for her support system, which reminds her of her worth beyond appearance.

“I feel really lucky to have people around me who tell me I’m beautiful and help me stay grounded,” she shared.

Her emotional candor during the interview sheds light on the toll that public scrutiny can take and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy in conversations about body image.