Just about Ariana Grande
What's going on with Ariana Grande? I've actually been wondering about that for a few months. During the Wicked-promo, something started to itch for me. Besides the fact that she and Cynthia Erivo were very close, Ariana seemed to be getting thinner and thinner. She claimed to be the ‘healthiest ever’, but whether that's really true is the question. Now, I'm not someone who quickly ‘bashes’ someone's appearance, but just like almost the entire internet, I'm concerned. You only have to type her name once and you end up in a web of gossip and deep analyses about ‘what's really going on with Ariana’. All those rumors have gained new fuel, because Ariana? She's withdrawing after all the harsh criticism. After finishing her Eternal Sunshine-tour, she's not going back to the theater. Unfortunately, she's taking a break. Did you miss this? Then we'll catch you up, because yes: we definitely need to talk about this.
From concern to merciless criticism
That the fans weren't really fans of Ariana's new look is no news. During the Wicked-era the online world was bursting with hate. Her blonde hair color was despised; she was ‘Asian fishing’ and she was no longer recognizable. The 33-year-old singer is certainly no novice when it comes to dealing with criticism, but things are getting really intense now. The entire worldwide web is filled with videos in which every photo is analyzed. And I can't blame them. Ariana does indeed look a lot thinner than a few years ago. Whether this is due to an underlying illness or something else, we do not know. And that is exactly the point: while the entire internet is attacking her, she acts as if nothing is wrong.
Where we first thought we were entering a body positivity era, we see that stars are losing more and more weight. Not long ago, the internet was shocked by new images of Margot Robbie and Olivia Wilde. Of course, it's up to everyone to choose how they want to look, but there is really something going on in Hollywood. The extremely thin ideal seems to be back, while it never really went away. And Ariana? She apparently struggles with this. In the music video for her new lead single Petal , she sings about the immense pressure she feels from the industry to constantly change herself. The music video even stated that she ‘could lose a few kilos’. Now, that's obviously a jab at crazy managers in the business, but it does indicate how hard Ariana might have it. If even one of the most successful singers is still told that she's not good enough, when are you as a woman in Hollywood?
@justagirlcalledlyla I mean this with so much love and care you have no idea, but that is not a healthy body and telling people that it is one is ridiculous. There is one thing with just being naturally skinny and thin but being able to see your entire rib cage by lying down or breathing is insanely concerning. I love Ariana so much, this is not a hate video at all. Saying you love her and not being concerned about this is horrible. #fyp #arianagrande #awareness
@arianagrande petal ꕤ 。˚ music video out now
Everyone suddenly becomes a doctor
Look, I agree that Ariana doesn't look healthy, but the hate she's receiving is so unnecessary. Suddenly, everyone is a doctor who has studied for ten years and knows everything about nutrition and what is healthy. Expressing concern is good, but the way it's going now... Yes, I don't find it strange that Ariana is withdrawing. Everywhere you look, you see this reflected. Videos where Ariana is dancing with texts like: ‘This looks so concerning’ or ‘I hope she's okay’. And that's still mild. Under all her videos, people ask if she's still eating, say she needs to be on an IV, and post all sorts of other comments that you really don't want to hear. The singer now says that she's not withdrawing because of the recent criticism, but that this break was planned a long time ago.
But it's not just fans who are speaking out. Stars like actress Jameela Jamil are calling for action: “This poor woman is probably dying before our eyes.” After all the criticism she has faced in recent years, I completely understand that she is taking a step back. We might forget it, but this girl has been through so much. The attack at her concert in 2017. A whirlwind of a relationship and engagement that lasted only a few months. Her ex who suddenly passed away – and then the whole world blamed her for that. Marrying the man she thought was her great love and then divorcing him. And I haven't even mentioned the scandal surrounding Ethan Slater. After all the drama, rumors, and hate, it's logical that she's exhausted.
@livingmy_bethlife TW ⚠️ DISCUSSION OF PHYSICAL APPEARANCE & WEIGHT – Fans may be loving Ariana’s new album Petal but is its success about to be overshadowed by concerns for her health? Ariana herself has asked people not to comment on her appearance previously but when is it ok to challenge the “ultra thinness” trend that seems to be creeping back? When is concern for her young and impressionable audience allowed? #arianagrande #celebnews #petal
It's actually sad
Now the focus is heavily on Ariana, but her situation and the criticism she receives point to a bigger problem. Hollywood still demands too much from women. They have to be thinner, but still have beautiful breasts. They must always have perfect hair and speak out on issues, but not too much, because then they're no longer ‘marketable’. The fact that it has come to this says enough. We don't know what's going on, but it's simply the truth that more and more female celebrities are getting thinner and thinner. And of course, we don't want to reduce Ariana to nothing more than her looks, because she's so much more than that. But saying nothing? That can't be done either. We really need to teach young girls that this is not an ideal image.
Actually, I'm glad Ariana is taking some rest. This girl has only been busy. She took some distance from the industry during her time as a coach at The Voice, but then one big project followed another. Training for Wicked, doing two super big promotional tours, making two albums, and a world tour? I totally understand that she wants some rest. She deserves it.
