Ariana Grande has once again addressed the relentless scrutiny over her appearance, emphasizing the harmful nature of unsolicited comments about her body.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star in Wicked. Credit: Karwai Tang / Getty
In a candid new interview during the Wicked press tour, the 31-year-old singer and actress shared her experiences of being in the public eye since her teenage years.
Fighting back tears, Grande reflected on the constant evaluation she's faced: "I have been a specimen in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17, so I have heard it all."
Credit: SAVERIO MARFIA / Getty
She highlighted the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, noting that even well-intentioned remarks can be damaging.
"Even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and someone's granny says, 'Oh my God, you look skinnier, what happened?' or 'You look heavier, what happened?' That is something that is uncomfortable and horrible no matter where it is happening."
Grande stressed the importance of refraining from commenting on others' appearances, stating, "I think today in society there is 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 described this tendency as "really dangerous" for everyone involved.
Earlier this year, Grande took to TikTok to address similar concerns, revealing that her previous appearance, which some considered "healthy," was during a period when she was at her lowest point.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty
She shared, "I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly... but that, in fact, wasn’t my healthy."
The pop star's openness has sparked widespread support from fans and fellow celebrities alike. Model Bella Hadid echoed Grande's sentiments, urging kindness and understanding, and emphasizing that "you never know what someone is going through."
Grande's message serves as a powerful reminder of the impact words can have and the importance of approaching others with compassion and respect.
As she continues to navigate her career and personal life in the public eye, her advocacy for mental health and self-acceptance remains a beacon for many facing similar challenges.
Ariana Grande is once again urging fans to think twice before making comments about someone’s body, explaining how "dangerous" it is.
The 32-year-old pop star resurfaced a heartfelt video from a previous interview, sharing it to her Instagram Stories on Saturday with the caption, “resharing this from last year ♡ as a loving reminder to all.”
The clip originally aired in 2024, showing Grande getting visibly emotional as she opened up about the toll online criticism has taken over the years.
Ariana Grande hits out at body shaming
“I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and kind of been a specimen in a petri dish really since I was 16 or 17, so I have heard it all,” Grande said in the video.
“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. But that’s everything from — even just the simplest thing — your appearance, you know?”
Ariana Grande has hit out at body shamers. Credit: SAVERIO MARFIA / Getty
The former Nickelodeon actress reflected on how public scrutiny shaped her experience as a young performer. She revealed how challenging it was to block out the noise, especially at an age when most people are still figuring out who they are.
“It’s hard to protect yourself from that noise,” Grande said, “when you’re young and you’re hearing all kinds of things.”
“I think that it’s something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you’re experiencing it on,” she added. “Even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner, and someone’s granny says, ‘Oh my God, you look skinnier! What happened?’ or ‘You look heavier! What happened?’”
Grande said the culture of casually commenting on people’s appearances has become far too normalized.
“I think in today’s society, there is 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 explained.
Ariana has urged people not to engage in "dangerous" bodyshaming. Credit: Ariana Grande / Instagram
She previously addressed the issue in 2023
This isn’t the first time the “Wicked: For Good” star has spoken up about body-shaming. In 2023, she delivered an emotional message to fans, opening up about her past struggles and how misleading perceptions of her health really were.
“The body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body. I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly,” she revealed.
“[I was] at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy, but that in fact wasn’t my healthy.”
“I know I shouldn’t have to explain that. But I do feel like maybe having an openness and some sort of vulnerability here, good might come from it,” Grande said.
Ariana Grande has shared a video on TikTok where she addressed concerns about her body and slammed body shamers.
In the world of social media, it is now easier than ever to express opinions on various matters, but unfortunately, that also means that hate comments directed at celebrities are commonplace.
It's never felt easier to get in touch with celebs, because a simple comment under a social media post has every chance of being viewed by the intended target.
Perhaps something that is often forgotten is that these public figures are people too, and Ariana has addressed exactly that as she has confronted those who have commented on her body.
The 29-year-old singer uploaded a rare video to TikTok where she spoke candidly to her followers. "I don't do this often. I don't like it, I'm not good at it," she began.
Check out what the popstar had to say:
"I just wanted to address your 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, this, that, sexy, not sexy... we just shouldn't."
Ariana addressed what is commonly known as back-handed compliments, where she explained that there are ways to say something nice to somebody without it coming across as criticism.
The singer spoke about the power of simply scrolling past something that you don't like online, as opposed to taking time out of your day to make negative comments.
"There are many different kinds of beautiful. There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful," Ariana explained.
Addressing why she posted the video, Ariana said: "The body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body.
"I was on a lot of antidepressants, drinking on them, eating poorly, and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider, my healthy."
Ariana urged viewers to be gentle with the comments they make about someone else's appearance, even if the remarks are made from a "loving place", the singer expressed that the person is probably "working on it", and little comments are unhelpful.
"I just think you're beautiful and wanted to share some feelings," Ariana finished the video as she said that people should love the skin they're in.
Naturally, people were very supportive of the singer, as one person expressed: "Absolutely love this. No one deserves to have their body commented on especially when you don’t truly know the person. Thank you Ariana."
Credit: TikTok
A second added: "Needed to hear all of this today. Thank you for sharing some love."
Credit: TikTok
As Ariana touched on, you never know how much damage a throwaway comment can do to a person, so let's be kind.
Ariana Grande has thrown absolutely everything into the Wicked: For Good press tour, treating it almost like an extension of the film itself.
From city to city, she’s shown up fully in character-inspired couture, working closely with stylist Law Roach to curate a run of archival and custom looks that nod to Glinda while still feeling deeply personal and elevated, culminating in that sentimental pink Givenchy farewell gown.
Beyond the fashion, she’s carried a huge share of the global promo load across premieres, specials, and fan events, helping anchor a months-long rollout that stretched from Brazil to Paris, London, Singapore, and New York, all while honoring the emotional weight of the story and her bond with Cynthia Erivo.
Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater. Credit: Don Arnold / Getty
The result is a press tour that doesn’t just sell a movie - it shows how hard she’s worked, on and off screen, to make this era feel magical, intentional, and “for good” in every sense.
On top of all the magic, the Wicked: For Good press tour has clearly been intense and stressful for her too. The schedule alone has been brutal: back-to-back flights all over the world in the space of two weeks, with carpets, fan events and talk shows stacked on top of each other.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in Wicked. Credit: David Becker / Getty
On top of the usual performance pressure, she dealt with a frightening incident on the Singapore carpet when a fan breached security and grabbed her.
Even with the glam looks and smiles, it’s obvious this press run has demanded a lot from her mentally, physically, and emotionally.
And sadly, the superstar singer and actor revealed on Instagram recently that she contracted Covid, forcing her to cancel several promotional appearances in New York and beyond. She posted a story with the words “moments before Covid” alongside a photo from a recent appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
Credit: Instagram
This isn’t the first time the cast has had pandemic trouble. During filming of the first movie both Grande and co‑star Cynthia Erivo tested positive, delaying production - Erivo just days before the big number “Defying Gravity” and Grande before shooting “Popular”.
Covid case forces Grande to skip key press events
The positive test has led Grande to miss upcoming press stops, including a slot on The Kelly Clarkson Show. It is the latest hiccup in a press tour that has already been troubled: flight delays prevented her from attending the film’s premiere in Brazil, prompting criticism from fans - criticism she addressed via Instagram.
At the Singapore leg of the tour, a man jumped barricades in an attempt to grab Grande, though security intervened after Erivo stepped in. The man, identified as 26‑year‑old Australian national Johnson Wen, was later convicted as a public nuisance and sentenced to nine days in jail.
Earlier this week, both Grande and Erivo skipped red carpet interviews at the film’s New York premiere after Erivo lost her voice. Grande opted to stay silent in support of her co‑star.
Wicked: For Good still expected to shatter box office records
Even with the press tour drama the hype hasn’t faded. The first instalment, Wicked: Part One grossed a massive $758 million worldwide, making it the highest‑grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical ever, per Variety.
The sequel is tracking for an opening weekend north of $150 million to $180 million from 4,000 North American theaters. That would eclipse other big openings this year such as A Minecraft Movie, which took in $162 million, and the live‑action remake of Lilo & Stitch, which made $146 million.
Critics remain impressed despite challenges
In a review for The Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw praised Grande for delivering a nuanced take on Glinda: “is, as ever, delicate and doll‑like as Glinda, though with less opportunity for comedy”.
He also singled out Erivo for standing out: “superstar among equals … bringing her black‑belt screen presence to the role of Elphaba, and revealing a new vulnerability and maturity”.
Their acting has helped keep excitement for the movie strong even as publicity hits turbulence.
With blockbuster expectations and strong performances, Wicked: For Good might still claim the title of biggest musical‑movie launch of the year despite last‑minute setbacks for its stars.
Cynthia Erivo has responded to ongoing speculation about her close bond with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande.
The actresses sparked romance rumours after they were seen holding hands, standing cheek-to-cheek, and supporting one another throughout the press tours for Wicked and its sequel, Wicked: For Good.
Their affectionate dynamic quickly became a talking point on social media, with some fans questioning whether their bond was more than platonic.
In a new interview with Stylist, the 39-year-old actress reflected on the intense scrutiny their relationship has faced, firmly setting the record straight while offering a broader commentary on how society views close female friendships.
Cynthia Erivo has addressed the speculation surrounding her close friendship with Ariana Grande. Credit: David Becker / Getty
Cynthia Erivo Calls The Speculation A "Strange Fascination"
Erivo told the publication that she believes some people "didn't understand how it was possible for two women to be friends - close - and not lovers".
"I've never really spoken about this, but there was this strange fascination with the two of us, where people either thought we were putting it on for the cameras or that we were lovers," she shared.
The Harriet actress suggested that the reaction stems from how rarely deep, platonic female friendships are centered in public conversations or portrayed onscreen.
"I think it's because there's such little conversation around platonic female friendship that is deep and real, even though it exists everywhere," she said. "We're not used to seeing it on camera, in front of people."
She added: "A relationship where people are connected sometimes just makes people uncomfortable; we aren't taught that those relationships are good for us."
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sparked romance rumors during the press tours for Wicked. Credit: Taylor Hill / Getty
The 32-year-old singer later addressed the gesture herself during an appearance on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler.
"I do, I do. I channel a lot of energy through my hands. And so I'm always holding a hand," she said. "I'm always, like, squeezing a something, as you've learned. I'm always reaching for something sometimes."
She continued: "Who I'm with. Yeah, I like to channel support and energy... I didn't even notice that it was a thing about me until that thing happened."
Explaining the viral moment further, the 'Thank U Next' songstress admitted: "Yeah, because I didn't know what the f*** was going on. I just wanted to be supportive. I was like, oh my God. And it felt sweet. It felt beautiful. And it was beautiful."
The co-stars' closeness was also evident at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific premiere in Singapore last November, when Erivo rushed to Grande’s side after a fan lunged at the singer.
Grande appeared visibly shaken by the incident. The fan, later identified as 26-year-old Australian Johnson Wen, who goes by the nickname Pyjama Man online, was apprehended by security.
Wen was arrested and charged with public nuisance, sentenced to nine days in jail, and barred from re-entering Singapore, per Daily Mail.
Ariana Grande has thrown absolutely everything into the Wicked: For Good press tour, treating it almost like an extension of the film itself.
From city to city, she’s shown up fully in character-inspired couture, working closely with stylist Law Roach to curate a run of archival and custom looks that nod to Glinda while still feeling deeply personal and elevated, culminating in that sentimental pink Givenchy farewell gown.
Beyond the fashion, she’s carried a huge share of the global promo load across premieres, specials, and fan events, helping anchor a months-long rollout that stretched from Brazil to Paris, London, Singapore, and New York, all while honoring the emotional weight of the story and her bond with Cynthia Erivo.
Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater. Credit: Don Arnold / Getty Images.
The result is a press tour that doesn’t just sell a movie - it shows how hard she’s worked, on and off screen, to make this era feel magical, intentional, and “for good” in every sense.
On top of all the magic, the Wicked: For Good press tour has clearly been intense and stressful for her too. The schedule alone has been brutal: back-to-back flights all over the world in the space of two weeks, with carpets, fan events and talk shows stacked on top of each other.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in Wicked. Credit: David Becker / Getty Images.
On top of the usual performance pressure, she dealt with a frightening incident on the Singapore carpet when a fan breached security and grabbed her.
Even with the glam looks and smiles, it’s obvious this press run has demanded a lot from her mentally, physically, and emotionally.
And sadly, the superstar singer and actor revealed on Instagram recently that she contracted Covid, forcing her to cancel several promotional appearances in New York and beyond. She posted a story with the words “moments before Covid” alongside a photo from a recent appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
This isn’t the first time the cast has had pandemic trouble. During filming of the first movie both Grande and co‑star Cynthia Erivo tested positive, delaying production - Erivo just days before the big number 'Defying Gravity' and Grande before shooting 'Popular'.
Credit: Instagram.
Covid case forces Grande to skip key press events
The positive test has led Grande to miss upcoming press stops, including a slot on The Kelly Clarkson Show. It is the latest hiccup in a press tour that has already been troubled: flight delays prevented her from attending the film’s premiere in Brazil, prompting criticism from fans - criticism she addressed via Instagram.
At the Singapore leg of the tour, a man jumped barricades in an attempt to grab Grande, though security intervened after Erivo stepped in. The man, identified as 26‑year‑old Australian national Johnson Wen, was later convicted as a public nuisance and sentenced to nine days in jail.
Earlier this week, both Grande and Erivo skipped red carpet interviews at the film’s New York premiere after Erivo lost her voice. Grande opted to stay silent in support of her co‑star.
Wicked: For Good still expected to shatter box office records
Even with the press tour drama the hype hasn’t faded. The first instalment, Wicked: Part One grossed a massive $758 million worldwide, making it the highest‑grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical ever, per Variety.
The sequel is tracking for an opening weekend north of $150 million to $180 million from 4,000 North American theaters. That would eclipse other big openings this year such as A Minecraft Movie, which took in $162 million, and the live‑action remake of Lilo & Stitch, which made $146 million.
Critics remain impressed despite challenges
In a review for The Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw praised Grande for delivering a nuanced take on Glinda, saying the star “is, as ever, delicate and doll‑like as Glinda, though with less opportunity for comedy”.
He also singled out Erivo for standing out: “A superstar among equals … bringing her black‑belt screen presence to the role of Elphaba, and revealing a new vulnerability and maturity”.
Their acting has helped keep excitement for the movie strong even as publicity hits turbulence.
With blockbuster expectations and strong performances, Wicked: For Good might still claim the title of biggest musical‑movie launch of the year despite last‑minute setbacks for its stars.
Featured image credit: SAVERIO MARFIA / Getty Images.
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