Ariana Grande is pushing back against persistent body-shaming, making it clear that no one has the right to comment on her physique. The singer, whose recent starring role in *Wicked Part 1* has catapulted her back into the spotlight, addressed the issue during an interview with French content creator Crazy Sally alongside her co-star Cynthia Erivo. The conversation, which also covered fan reactions and the emotional weight of the *Wicked* soundtrack, saw Grande directly confront years of public scrutiny.
“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,” Grande stated, highlighting the constant barrage of criticism she’s endured since her early career. She acknowledged the difficulty of shielding oneself from such negativity, noting that even seemingly innocuous comments, like those from well-meaning family members at Thanksgiving, contribute to the problem. “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?’” she exemplified, highlighting the pervasive nature of unsolicited body commentary.
Grande characterized this societal tendency to comment on others’ bodies as “dangerous for all parties involved,” emphasizing the inherent entitlement and lack of respect involved. While acknowledging the privilege of her support system and her own self-acceptance, she stressed the importance of setting boundaries. “I’m really lucky to have the support system that I have and to just know and trust that I’m beautiful,” she explained. “But I do know what the pressure of that noise feels like. It’s been a resident in my life since I was 17. I just don’t invite it in anymore.”
Her message was clear: “I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on… I have so much love. It’s not invited, so I don’t leave space for it anymore. You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s—t,” she declared.
Erivo, who also participated in the interview, expressed her pride in Grande’s honesty, acknowledging the difficulty of publicly addressing such a sensitive topic. She highlighted the importance of distinguishing between genuine concern and the toxic policing of someone’s body, a sentiment echoed by Grande’s statement. The actresses’ unified stance underscores the need to protect individuals, celebrities included, from the harmful effects of unsolicited commentary on their appearance.