Every time a celebrity appears to lose weight, the same debate begins. Some people say we shouldn’t comment on another person’s body. Others argue staying silent ignores the possibility that someone may be struggling.
So when does genuine concern become harmful scrutiny?
It’s a question many people have been asking following recent public discussion about singer Ariana Grande’s appearance.
Today Grande announced she will be “taking a step back from visibility” after her current tour, saying recent public appearances had led to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
It's weird how everyone talks about her and Cynthia but don't mention how much Jonathan and Ethan shrank. Idk what happened on the Wicked set but YIKES.
Lol coke hasn’t gone anywhere, in fact I think the purity and amounts available have been hitting all time highs the last few years I believe. Cartels have been working overtime and then some lol.
I swear every year I live and get older I slowly see just how many fucking people use blow. It’s staggering how many people do it and you’d be blown away at some of the seemingly put together working professionals that do any drugs really, but especially coke 😅
Everyone is forgetting meth. So many celebrities use meth to get skinny. Unfortunately, I believe Demi Lovato when she says it wasn't Ozempic, the same Demi Lovato who OD'd on meth
Whatever happened on the Wicked set really sparked this. Everyone lost a decent amount of weight, but it does look like the others have more or less bounced back (recent photos of Cynthia have her looking a much healthier weight than at the end of Wicked) while Ariana has continued to lose concerning amounts of weight.
It really looks like whatever happened on set sparked an ED relapse.
Eating disorders are (sadly) very competetive. It wouldn't have to be anything specific "happened". I don't want to speculate on anyone's health or well-being, but if multiple people were suffering from similar issues, it would get worse while they're around each other and get better once they're apart.
She looks healthy now when she didn't during Wicked press tours. I was hoping Ariana would follow Cynthia's healthy weight gain, but she has done the exact opposite.
There was so much expectation on Wicked performing well and winning every award, plus the constant controversies coming out around the main cast. I'm positive that the studio/management stepped in at some point to tell them to lock it down or else. I imagine everyone was beyond stressed tf out on set. (a handful of diva personalities and a series of Nickelodeon/diddy revelations on top of it all did not help I'm sure.)
The uppers to keep her energy going, which made her hungry so they gave her appetite suppressors which made it hard for her to sleep so they gave her sedatives which made her too tired so they gave her more uppers. Plus the methamphetamines all child actors took at the time.
I'm waiting for the documentaries to come out about the Wicked set. Perhaps in 10 years or so. In the same vein as Nickelodeon being exposed years later, I anticipate the same being done for Wicked
Yeah I don't get why people act like they were being chained to the radiator and hosed down. They all work in modern Hollywood so we can baseline assume a fair degree of vanity and pressure on appearance. It literally just takes on person to normalize slipping meals or getting salads they peck at and suddenly everyone's in a calories deficit.
Almost maybe it's very Dorothy from Kansas of me, but I would find it stressful they had an affair while married and it was being gossiped enough for normies like myself to hear about it so everyone in the industry knew, but you can't confirm it or else.
My friend group in college had a experience of we felt like the guy was fucking his best friend's girlfriend but nobody really knew for sure, just a lot of really weird behavior. It was so stressful. But again that might just be the Midwest in me talking, I know Bowen things monotony is trite so idk if any of them batted an eye. I'd feel so bad seeing her with her baby though
Yes that’s the other thing that the article doesn’t discuss:
Acting like this is normal when we know that it’s not just happening naturally and thousands of young girls are idolising this person is harmful to them.
I’m concerned for Ariana Grande, it sucks that it’s making her feel bad, but I’m not going to say “oh yes this is a normal way to look” especially when harmful bootleg alternatives to Ozempic are being pushed like crazy right now.
Thank you for saying this! I use to watch a YouTube content creator Sebastian Sotos, it’s crazy; no one could ever say a negative thing about her appearance! People are concerned; she literally looks like she’s dying and he’s willing to just overlook it!! He does the same thing with Britney; he’s insufferable. I stopped watching him. At what point do we call it what it is?? At what point are we allowed to be concerned and tell people she needs help?? After she’s gone?!!! It’s utterly ridiculous! There’s a difference in making fun of someone’s appearance and being concerned and speaking the truth!
They're pretending like she hasn't been in the public eye for years. We know what she looks like healthy. We know what her natural figure is like. She is now smaller than she was when she was a literal child star.
I was on Tumblr back when she was — I remember when Arianna was on the pro-ana blogs and sharing thinspiration posts and body checks. She has had an ED for years and its out of control now.
As a person who also understands EDs, this attention FUELS the demon. Her ED knows it’s winning and it’ll consume her even more if she doesn’t get help NOW.
Her team needs to be dragged, exposed (names and all), and banned from the motherfucking industry because fuck them. This is literal torture of a human being. They're letting her die in front of them to pocket a fucking paycheck. Fuck every single one of them.
I feel so uncomfortable looking at Ariana Grande since the first Wicked- the face, the eyebrows, the bony frame… I saw Odyssey a few nights ago and she was in a trailer for Meet the Parents sequel “Fockers in Law”. We’re supposed to believe she is an FBI negotiator.
Funny how when it's personal life of celebrity, ppl shouldn't talk about it because it's rude and spying, but when you consider they have mental problems it's completely normal
I mean, I can see why people are concerned. Her rib bones are so prominent with not enough flesh to cover them, a common feature in some of the eating-disorder patients I’ve cared for in the past.
I hope that she realizes soon that it’s time to get some help or that someone close to her intervenes.
100% and a lot of the online discourse about her weight is coming from a place of genuine concern because she looks malnourished and is getting thinner and thinner infront of our eyes.
Agree. It feels icky to harp so much on one’s appearance usually. As beautiful as Ariana will always be, her health is clearly compromised because of how malnourished and emaciated she is. As someone that has struggled with ED’s and BDD, it is heartbreaking to witness. Whether it’s a celeb, stranger, or loved one— it’s painful and gut wrenching. Especially when you have an idea of the ways in which they’re struggling.
That’s not true, a dogs healthy weight is supposed to expose ribs at the back of their rib cage. Humans can show some rib exposure on the lower sides too, and that would be common with low body fat. But seeing ribs running down your sternum is a legitimate anorexia symptom.
And plus, you seriously thought comparing a human’s anatomy to a dog’s anatomy was clever?
Sounds like she’s doing the best thing for herself. I hope in her “future legacy days” we see a happier and healthier her and she’s got that bounce back in her choreography that’s missing.
I don’t want Ariana Grande to be Karen Carpenter part 2. Love, Girl.
From the statement, it honestly sounds like she and her team might be doubling down. The statement makes it sound like they are claiming the very real concern and the fact that people won’t drop it is the problem, not the fact she is visibly emaciated and modeling disordered behavior to her audience of teenagers and children.
I’ve had to watch family members nearly lose their lives to this disease, we were all lucky they were able to turn it around when they did, a lot of others aren’t so fortunate. I’m only annoyed with Arianna because she has to have been told, countless times, the potential for harm her actions not only to herself but to countless kids who idolize her, but she is also deep into her disorder so her ability to see things clearly on this issue is definitely impaired . Her team however, whoever is telling her this ok, encouraging her to continue and grifting off of her despite all of this, deserve worse than they will ever get, hell would be too good for them.
Its history, its knowing history and not wanting to witness this all over again for absolutely no reason whatsoever but its more so what the fallout from this all will entail and the “catastrophic consequences” that the industry will have on the lil girls and the young women.
She doesn’t need to pretend she’s so strong all the time. No one does! This world makes me sad. We are all broken and filled w fear to stop and heal.
Some good news about this is that more people are outspoken and public about their opinions. In a lot of cases this can be bad, but in this case, especially for the younger generations, it's better than the blind eye that happened back when actresses were forced on meth and uppers. It shows the other side of the story and the girls who idiolize her will see the concern as well.
Of course narratives can be twisted; however, we are seeing a significant pushback against her managers who are saying this is healthy, which is exactly what we need.
This isn't about weight or beauty standards, it's about health, and the fans have made that abundantly clear. Hopefully more people continue to speak out and let others see that very point, because that's exactly what we need right now for both the girls who idiolize her, and her own health.
As someone who once had a severe eating disorder- yes, the comments online mean more than her health (if she has an ED). Your health, and even life, aren't a priority in the thick of it.
Don't those around her have some responsibility here? I know the internet can drag you down. But she's obsessed. That is something else they have to confront. I hope you are doing better.
Those around her absolutely have a responsibility. My mom breaking down crying is what finally got me in therapy. I'm 8 years recovered (always recovering in mindset)! So yes, I'm much better. Thank you!
People with Anorexia Nervosa often have very little insight that it’s happening to them, because the mental distortion of their body is so extreme they will fight others about it despite it being obvious that they are in danger. Even when they are in the hospital, they argue literally to the edge of death about it.
This is the rule not the exception.
This reaction is not surprising in the slightest. She needs help.
I watched a documentary about anorexia just last night, and it's true; the brain is affected as well and they don't see what everyone can. It's also about having control when you feel like you don't have any. I think Ariana is very talented and I really hope she gets help.
It's such a weird situation where a lot of the comments are inherently hateful and not at all coming from a place of genuine concern. But at the same time she's literally withering away and needs some intervention. It just feels like one of those moments where if she doesn't get help we are gonna look back and be like "why didn't anyone say anything!?!"
What i think is the most harmfull is the comment about "being the healthiest she's ever been" as if she's not looking starved. I truly hope parents and guardians have made sure to keep this away from their young teens or at least impress upon them hiw much that is bullshit
Hopefully this is code for getting help to combat a possible ED. There is scrutiny because her appearance is alarming. No one should see visible sternum and ribs in the central chest area. This is very concerning.
I'm going to say this mary-kate Olsen was put in rehab before her 18 birthday for her eating disorder fans notice her looking like skin and bones and her parents put her in rehab before she legally could refuse help.
DEMI Lovato mother threaten to cut off access to her sister if she didn't go to rehab and she was in her 20s. Her mother cared enough for both daughters to atleast try and get demi help and used her best resource.
What about criticizing the systems that don't look after women's health at all? Are we surprised that a woman can get to this point in America? Where women's reproductive autonomy is attacked, violence against women is high, maternal mortality rate is high, 1 in 2 women have experienced sexual violence, etc. The pressure put on women to be perfect? How can people look at all of this and not understand how a woman can get to this point?
There's a part of me concerned and a part of me angry. She is clearly unwell and we might never know to what severity. I just hope that the time out of the spotlight can be used to work on that. A lot is said about the Wicked filming/set.... but I think it runs a lot deeper. This decline started before that and Ariana really hasn't been her old self since the events of Manchester. There is no doubt a lot or trauma there.
The other part is anger towards her "team" and family. Completely exploiting her for financial gain.
It doesn't matter whether it's coming from genuine concern. Obviously, it's not healthy to be that thin, but it's not like she isn't aware of it. It's the same as when someone is obese constantly commenting on another person's body is simply rude, even if it's well intentioned.
People engaging in harmful behaviors usually aren't doing so because they lack awareness. Comments from random people on the internet aren't going to change that; they're just not helpful. The only people who might be able to address it in a constructive way are the people who are actually part of her life, not strangers online.
Wild how far I had to scroll to find this comment.
I’m remembering a few years ago when Erin Moriarty looked like she had plastic surgery and everybody was talking about how bad plastic surgery is, how awful her face looked, how women should know better/not get plastic surgery.
Fast-forward to the final season of The Boys when Erin Moriarty revealed she’d been struggling with health which had caused her to lose all this weight. People treated her like crap for something she couldn’t control.
Idk I don’t think celebrities owe us an inside look at their doctor’s appointments. We don’t need their health charts. The people close to her are the ones who can help her. Not internet strangers.
Except Erin absolutely has had surgery, she has the exact prescribed look thats 'in'. She was one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood and is now overwhelmingly generic with the Mar-a-lago face. Lets not be dishonest here, Graves doesn't give your lips filler and completely change your faces bone structure.
I feel she more overcorrected due to pressure when her appearance started changing from the disease.
And celebrities dont owe us THAT but they owe us something considering the immeasurable influence they have on our impressionable youth. Kids will want to replicate her look. Celebrities take on a certain responsibility when they make their fortunes off the adoration of millions of teens that hang on their every word and fashion statement.
Hasn't she BEEN saying for MONTHS that she was planning on taking a break after this tour? Feels like a convenient excuse that it's because "people are being mean", when this seems to have already been planned. This is from November 2025 saying this tour would be the last for quite some time, and that the next 10-15 years would be looking very different for her.
She's literally flaunting her sickly body its giving pro-ana, and of course those pro-ana parts of the internet are LIVING. She wants everyone to see all the bones in her chest and shoulder and even her back. I'm really tired of this debate on if people should say anything when its OBVIOUS she needs help and its OBVIOUS she's enjoying the attention her condition is giving her. She's only stepping back because of the negative backlash, if this were the early 2000's she'd be praised for her skeletal figure. I am a huge fan of her but I'm so tired of people infantilizing her and act like she has no idea what she's doing, when she was growing up in the pro-ana Tumblr days like the rest of millenials.
Noticeable weight fluctuations, both losing and gaining, especially when someone has had stable weight for several years, could be an indicator of physical or mental illness. No one should be shamed for their body but we could probably stop pretending like it’s not a concern.
I don’t care about hurting her feelings, sorry. She has access to the best councilors money can buy to deal with my mean words.
I care about the teenage girls growing up seeing her venerated who don’t. I care about the teenage girls who are going to see this as the new normal. I remember heroin chic. I remember how many children died for heroin chic. I couldn’t give less of a fuck about the rich and famous people profiting off of heroin chic.
'If' there is a possiibility that she does not have anorexia - then a logical person in the public eye who cares about the young girls who follow them would release something saying, "I have X illness, this is why I have lost weight. Don't try to copy this."
That she has said nothing makes it 100% clear is it anorexia - and that she is not ready to admit this. That's not her fault. It's a powerful and cruel illness that literally blinds you to your true image.
Plus she is bound to be surrounded by sychophants who will not or cannot tell her the truth about how painfully ill she looks.
She is a lovely person by all accounts. I hope the veil falls from her eyes. And she had beautiful eyes!
It's like everyone already forgot what happened to Eliana and Luisel Ramos, or with Ana Carolina Reston to name a few. These girls were also sick and malnourished and nobody helped them properly. Instead they promoted the sickness by putting their pictures in magazines like Vogue and let them walk the catwalks. It's insane that people continue to use these girls for their own benefit. It should be considered criminal!
I just don't understand what her team was thinking, dressing her that way for the video. They were doing it for the clicks and comments, then seemed shocked when that's what they got? Ariana in a different outfit would have still received concern but it wouldn't have been as explosive.
I feel so sad for her. No one is protecting her the fact that they filmed that she wore what she wore. They focused on her bones edited, and then premiered it is insane.
I'm a cynic and wouldn't be surprised if her team knew they were going to have to get her into treatment much sooner rather than later but let this shocking video go out because it would create a huge buzz around the album before they pulled her out of the spotlight.
Back in Karen Carpenter's day they had to rely on flowing sleeves and high necklines to try and disguise her condition but now there's the technology freely available to smooth out Ariana's bones and round her limbs but not only did they not do that before having her step back without all this wildfire speculation, they used costumes, lighting and cinematography that highlighted it.
They care about Ariana's wellbeing, but they care more about making bank, and if they can squeeze a little extra out of her this way then, unfortunately, I can see the industry doing it. There's probably already plans afoot for how they are going to maximise her eventual, healthier relaunch.
If there's one thing about the industry that should be remembered, it's that the human artist often gets lost and becomes less important than selling the product.
I just want her to be happy and healthy. I would hate having my body commented on publicly, but I’m also not stupid and won’t deny what’s happening right before my eyes. I hope she takes this time away to heal physically and mentally.
In a lot of cases it's more concern than criticism. She does look very slight. I hope she's okay. I'm not even a fan of her at all, but I wouldn't want anyone to go through something that would cause that frame. I hope I'm wrong and maybe it's just how she's built, but it doesn't look like a normal build.
Maybe she doesn’t know how to stop whether it be acting, singing, new album and touring because she’s been doing it for most of her life. This surely is when her family needs to step up.
The Ari fans will just call it her new phase or era after all the "race-swapping" and speaking-voice changes over the years. They will never acknowledge that she's unwell and maybe even ill-intentioned
We can see her sternum. Her bones are visible. If anyone actually "cares" about her in any way, they won't continue to enable what's going on with her and will attempt to get her the help she needs. Her brother is semi-famous and posting daily on social media, yet he hasn't said anything. His Instagram posts are filled with people asking him to help his sister. She keeps gaslighting us all, telling us not to comment on her body, yet she is a walking skeleton. That's like a drug addict telling you they look fine and there's nothing to worry about. The statement saying that she's receiving public scrutiny, when literally everyone is just WORRIED about her and wondering WTF is going on and how so many people are working with her while seeing her in this condition, is a huge defense mechanism to avoid receiving help/confronting the situation. I don't know the reason this has happened, and if it's an illness, that only reinforces the question of WHY WOULD PEOPLE CONTINUE TO WORK AROUND/FOR/WITH HER AND IGNORE THIS? Something is very wrong, and I refuse to ignore what's right in front of all of us. Her quitting a show and taking a step back the day after this video released is probably the best decision, but after her and those around her allowed her to get to this point and continue to perform, I don't think she's gonna 180 the way people think. I hope she's able to get better.
I’m sorry but young children look up to her.
This isn’t healthy, she obviously needs help.
And if you make a living from being in the public eye you will be scrutinised.
I’m sure public scrutiny is quite a thing for a big celebrity. But I think it deep down comes from a good place in this case but I’m sure there will be trolls saying horrible things. She’s not healthy. She needs to get treatment for whatever condition she has. I suppose it’s anorexia. But can’t speak on her behalf what may be going on, like how the Manchester bomb has impacted her. I hope she gets the help she needs and comes bouncing back.
She looks like she’s dying. I’m not exaggerating. She’s bones. Look at her skeleton protruding. She looks emaciated.
I have nothing against her and truly hope they stick her in an eating disorder treatment center. Whoever dressed her for this probably did it on purpose for the publicity. Hopefully, they saved her life.
Pretty sure she's suffering from eating disorders and PTSD from the Manchester attack during her concert. I read somewhere her saying it messed her up big time
If that’s what she wants to do. Hopefully she gets help while away and she gets a new team. She’s literally withering away. This isn’t normal for a woman in her 30’s
no one is gonna wanna get help with an eating disorder when every decision they make is speculated on. A lot EDs revolve around control and stuff not “being fat” yes it can play into it and yes she is probably very aware she needs help, but how nauseating it must be to look online and all people can do is tell you what they think you should to keep appeasing them.
Shes the center of her own universe. Licking food in stores and being a shameless home wrecker. Idk why anyone thinks these “stars” actually care about their fans. She has no fs to give about some random teenage girl’s body dysmorphia and whether or not she contributes to it.
This woman is disappearing right before our eyes. Anyone thinking she looks good or enabling her problems needs to be locked up. She looks absolutely terrible and sick. Poor woman needs help now.
Public figures rely on our judgment to make a living and they are rewarded beyond measure for it. Why is it a moral failing to speak the bad truths out loud with the good ones?
She's far less than that! She's only like 5 feet tall. (Maybe 5'1").
For reference, Karen Carpenter got down to 75/80 pounds at her lowest and she was 5'4"!
That suggests Ariana can't be more than low/mid 70s (given how similar they look). I'd be shocked if she was more than 80 pounds.
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u/Timbucktwo1230 Therapy For All 🩷 29d ago
Excerpt:
Every time a celebrity appears to lose weight, the same debate begins. Some people say we shouldn’t comment on another person’s body. Others argue staying silent ignores the possibility that someone may be struggling.
So when does genuine concern become harmful scrutiny?
It’s a question many people have been asking following recent public discussion about singer Ariana Grande’s appearance.
Today Grande announced she will be “taking a step back from visibility” after her current tour, saying recent public appearances had led to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.