Ariana Grande has made it clear that she wants people to stop speculating about her body and health.
The Petal singer has faced increased scrutiny over her appearance, particularly following the Wicked press tours and the release of her Petal album and title-track video.
Online discussion intensified around her appearance, while her representatives later announced plans for her to step back from the public eye after the Eternal Sunshine Tour, citing “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
She has also withdrawn from the upcoming West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George.
Some users have also shared a handwritten note that includes the line, “Couldn’t hurt to lose a few LBs.”
However, the comment is made by male characters in the video’s storyline who judge Grande’s character as “not good enough,” rather than by Grande herself.
The context has sparked further discussion about body image and unrealistic beauty standards.
Here's why Ariana Grande pushed back against public commentary about her body
Ariana Grande has repeatedly pushed back against public commentary about her body.
In her 2024 song “Yes, And?”, she urged people not to comment on her appearance and later explained that a period fans considered her “healthiest” was actually one of the unhealthiest times in her life.
Grande has also said she is stepping back from public-facing work after her Eternal Sunshine Tour, describing the decision as a way to set boundaries and distance herself from ongoing online scrutiny of her appearance.
Notably, she has been famously open for over a decade about her severe battles with PTSD (following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing), grief (following the death of Mac Miller), anxiety, depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Over the years, her team has confirmed minor physical setbacks that required temporary performance adjustments, including vocal cord inflammation (2020), bronchitis and sinus infections (2018), and a minor foot injury during her recent tour.
