Fears for Ariana Grande as new image shows star looking painfully thin
A recent social media photo of Ariana Grande at the BAFTA Film Awards has ignited new worries about her health. The photo shows the Oscar-nominated performer looking extremely thin while giving autographs to fans.
Reddit users expressed deep concern after seeing the now-removed image. One commenter stated, "I just hope she's okay because I certainly would not be if I were in her shoes and everyone felt so entitled to talk about my body all the time." Other users shared similar worries, with one noting, "Every time I see a new pic I feel shocked all over again," and another adding, "It's sad to watch it happen."
The Grammy winner faced intense scrutiny about her physical appearance during the promotional activities for the movie Wicked, where she played Glinda. Medical experts state that visible sternums and hollow cheeks in adults can indicate health issues, including malnutrition. This condition can cause serious problems like reduced energy, muscle loss, weakened immunity, and slow wound healing.
During a New York Times interview, Grande and her co-star Cynthia Erivo described demanding filming schedules for Wicked. Both actors caught Covid during production, with Grande filming "Popular" shortly after recovery. Erivo later expressed relief when the 2023 actors' strike paused production, saying they had "worked themselves to the bone."
Grande previously addressed public commentary about her appearance, stating, "I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people's bodies, no matter what."
During a December interview with French journalist Salima Jeanne Poumbga, known professionally as Sally, Ariana Grande discussed public reactions to her appearance. The conversation took place during the Wicked promotional tour, where Grande opened up about constant online discussions regarding her weight.
Grande, who started her career at age 16 on Nickelodeon's Victorious, shared her experience of public scrutiny. She explained, "I've been a specimen in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17. I've heard every criticism about what's wrong with me. When you fix one thing, it becomes wrong for different reasons."
The performer addressed the challenges of dealing with public commentary, noting that unwanted remarks about appearance can be distressing in any context. She mentioned how even casual comments at family gatherings about weight changes can feel invasive and uncomfortable.
Grande strongly criticized society's casual attitude toward commenting on others' appearances. She emphasized the inappropriate nature of public discussions about people's bodies, faces, clothing choices, and assumed health conditions. The singer expressed gratitude for her support system that helps maintain her self-confidence.
In 2023, Grande directly confronted body-shaming through a TikTok video after viral images compared her weight over different years. She defended her health status and urged for more consideration when discussing others' physical appearance, stating: "I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people's bodies, no matter what."
Grande made a compelling appeal against unsolicited comments about physical appearance. She stated, "Even well-intentioned remarks about someone being healthy, unhealthy, big, small, or attractive should be avoided."
The "Yes And?" performer addressed viral comparisons of her body, revealing that photos people considered her "healthiest" actually captured her during a difficult period. She explained that those images showed her while taking antidepressants and consuming alcohol, a potentially dangerous combination.
Grande openly shared that during the time when fans thought she looked her best, she struggled with poor eating habits and experienced severe emotional challenges. She emphasized that health manifests differently for everyone, saying, "There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful."
The singer chose to share these personal details hoping to create positive change through vulnerability. She concluded her message by reinforcing that healthy appearances vary among individuals, challenging standard perceptions of wellness and beauty.
