Ariana Grande has had enough of body comments, but 'scrutiny' will linger
The top comment under the Petal video on YouTube said: "It's not about wanting the old Ariana back. It's about wanting her to be healthy."
The top comment under the Petal video on YouTube said: "It's not about wanting the old Ariana back. It's about wanting her to be healthy." One fan wrote on X that she "has become so thin that people are genuinely concerned". Her loyal fans sent their support, making #Weloveyouariana trend on social media. Some criticised those who were focusing on her body. "No-one has the right to comment on anyone else's body or appearance," a user wrote.
Music journalist Sophie Williams told BBC Radio 5 Live that the "constant commentary around her has really, really elevated over the weekend as she's been promoting new music". "So we're led to think in part that that [commentary] has brought us to this decision," she said. Grande is scheduled to continue the Eternal Sunshine Tour in Chicago this week before 10 dates at London's O2 arena, where the tour will finish on 1 September.
Her "step back" means she will no longer star in Stephen Sondheim's stage musical Sunday in the Park with George opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey at London's Barbican in 2027. Grande has lived for more than 15 years - half her life - in the spotlight. "I've been doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17, so I have heard it all," Grande told an interviewer, external during the press tour for the first Wicked film in 2024.
"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? "It's hard to protect yourself from that noise."
The BriefWire