Ariana Grande is pushing back against years of body shaming, making it clear that no one has the right to comment on her physique. The singer, who recently promoted the film adaptation of *Wicked*, addressed the issue in a candid interview with French content creator Crazy Sally, alongside her co-star Cynthia Erivo.
Grande, who began her career in the public eye at a young age, recounted a long history of facing body scrutiny. “I’ve been doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a Petri dish really since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all,” she shared, highlighting the pervasive nature of such criticism. She described the difficulty of shielding herself from constant judgment, noting that even seemingly well-intentioned comments, like those from family members at Thanksgiving, can be hurtful. “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 pointed out, emphasizing the uncomfortable universality of this experience.
Grande characterized the societal comfort level with commenting on others’ bodies as “dangerous for all parties involved,” highlighting the inherent entitlement behind such actions. While acknowledging the support system that helps her navigate this, 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… I just don’t invite it in anymore.” She urged everyone to protect themselves from such negativity, stating firmly, “You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s–t.”
Cynthia Erivo, Grande’s co-star, expressed her pride in Grande’s openness about this difficult topic. Erivo’s own experiences as a Black woman in the industry further underscore the broader implications of body shaming. The actresses’ shared experiences highlight that concern for someone’s well-being does not extend to policing their body, regardless of their celebrity status or perceived physique. The message is clear: unsolicited commentary on anyone’s body is unacceptable and should be unequivocally rejected.