Singer Ariana Grande has called on fans to be "gentler and less comfortable" about remarking on her and other people's bodies after recent scrutiny of her appearance on social media. In a TikTok video, the 29-year-old US star said she had a body that is "paid such close attention to", so "wanted to address" concerns following comments about her apparent weight loss.
Grande explained that fans were "comparing my current body" to "the unhealthiest version of my body". She said: "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, but that in fact wasn't my healthy." She stressed that "healthy can look different" and urged people to avoid making even "well-intentioned" remarks about how others look.
The singer, known for hits such as One Last Time and Thank U, Next, is set to star as Glinda Upland in the forthcoming Wicked film. She has previously opened up about her anxiety and mental health issues, especially following the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
Grande is not the only star to address body shaming. Last month, Selena Gomez said lupus medication causes her to retain water, while in 2021, Adele expressed disappointment with "brutal conversations" about her weight loss. Actor Jonah Hill also urged followers not to comment on his body, saying: "I know you mean well but I kindly ask that you do not comment on my body good or bad."
