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Ariana Grande Speaks Out Against Body Shaming: «I Think We Should Be Gentler»

She reflected on being constantly judged since she was 16

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Ariana Grande is back in the spotlight after her standout role in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, which became a huge box-office success. Her performance earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. However, the singer and actress has also faced criticism about her appearance. Something she’s been dealing with since her teenage years when she first rose to fame.

In a recent interview, joined by her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, Ariana spoke about the unrealistic beauty standards imposed on women and the harm they can cause. “How do you cope with beauty standards, to critics, to looks?” Sally asked. “Because this is something that is so overwhelming for women: to always look perfect. How do you deal with that?”

She reflected on being constantly judged since she was 16, comparing the experience to feeling like ‘a specimen on a Petri dish.’ Ariana highlighted how hurtful comments about appearance can be, not just on social media but even in everyday conversations.

“Even if you go to a Thanksgiving dinner and someone’s granny says, ‘Oh my God, you look skinnier! What happened?’ or ‘You look heavier! What happened?’ It’s like, that is something that is uncomfortable and horrible no matter where it’s happening,” she shared.

“Beauty and Health Look Different for Everyone”

The artist also shared that she has “heard every version of what’s wrong with me”, and while she’s gotten used to rumors and speculation, she stressed that this kind of behavior should never be considered ‘normal.’ “I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies. No matter what…just to aim toward being safer and keeping each other safer,” she added, reminding everyone that beauty and health look different for everyone.

Ariana also reflected on how comparisons to her past appearance have been especially hurtful. She revealed that one of the times people said she looked her ‘healthiest’ was actually one of her lowest and least healthy periods. She admitted to struggling with poor eating habits and taking antidepressants at the time.

Despite everything, Ariana ended on a hopeful and empowering note: “I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on, I have so much love, and—the noise is—not invited. So I don’t leave space for it anymore,” she said confidently.