Ariana Grande recently revisited a powerful message about the dangers of scrutinizing women’s appearances, sharing a clip from a past interview during the press tour for *Wicked*.
The video, posted to her social media, served as a “loving reminder” – a plea born from years of facing relentless commentary on her own body and image. Grande, now 32, has consistently spoken out against the pervasive culture of body-shaming.
During the interview, conducted by Sally for Oui Oui Baguette, Grande spoke with raw honesty, her hand clasped by co-star Cynthia Erivo. She described a disturbing “comfortability” in today’s society with judging others based on their looks, their choices, and even perceived health.
“Commenting on others’ looks… what they think is going on behind the scenes… that I think is really dangerous,” she stated, her voice filled with emotion. The scrutiny, she explained, feels particularly intense when you live a life constantly under public observation.
Grande reflected on her own experience, having been in the public eye since she was just 16 or 17. She’s heard every criticism imaginable, and found that even attempts to address those criticisms only led to new ones. The focus on appearance, she emphasized, is a relentless cycle.
This isn’t a new conversation for the singer. In a 2023 video, she directly addressed comparisons between her past and present bodies, revealing a vulnerable truth about a difficult period in her life. She was, at that time, struggling with antidepressants, poor diet, and a deep sense of unhappiness.
“I was on a lot of antidepressants, and drinking on them, and eating poorly, and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider ‘my healthy’,” she shared, “but that wasn’t my healthy.” She powerfully asserted that beauty and health manifest in countless forms.
The need to address these issues has surfaced repeatedly during the *Wicked* promotion. Following a travel disruption that forced her to miss a premiere in São Paulo, Grande implored fans to refrain from wishing harm upon her or others.
Just days later, during a premiere in Singapore, she faced a frightening moment when a fan rushed the yellow carpet, highlighting the intense and sometimes overwhelming attention she receives. These experiences underscore the urgent need for a more compassionate and respectful dialogue.
