Pop superstar Ariana Grande has found herself at the centre of brewing online controversy after seemingly directing subtle shade towards actress Sydney Sweeney during a recent interview. The incident occurred during Vanity Fair's popular Lie Detector Test segment, sparking intense debate among fans and commentators about whether a new celebrity feud is brewing.
The Lie Detector Test That Started It All
The thirty-two-year-old Wicked: For Good actress appeared alongside her co-star Bowen Yang, thirty-five, for the magazine's latest video feature. During the session, Grande put Yang through a series of probing questions while he was connected to a polygraph machine. The exchange took an unexpected turn when Grande questioned Yang about her kissing abilities, asking directly whether he thought she was a good kisser.
Yang initially responded with laughter before eventually offering praise, stating 'Yeah, you were really good'. However, the lie detector test registered his response as 'inconclusive', adding a layer of humour to the already awkward moment.
The Moment That Sparked Controversy
The situation escalated significantly when Grande produced a photograph of Yang with Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, taken during their time together on the set of Saturday Night Live. Grande then posed the pointed question: 'Was I better than this woman?'
Yang attempted to navigate the delicate situation by explaining that his kiss with Sweeney had occurred in 'a very rushed way' due to filming constraints, noting they had to complete the scene within five minutes. While his response technically favoured Grande, many viewers focused entirely on Grande's choice of words, particularly her reference to Sweeney as 'this woman' rather than using her name.
Divided Reactions and Mounting Scrutiny
Social media platforms immediately erupted with commentary, with numerous observers interpreting Grande's phrasing as a deliberate snub. One user on X, formerly Twitter, commented: 'Not Ari calling Sydney Sweeney "this woman"', while another noted 'Sydney Sweeney is getting all the hate this year.'
However, many fans quickly came to Grande's defence, pointing out that Vanity Fair's Lie Detector Test series consistently uses the phrases 'this man' or 'this woman' when referring to other celebrities. A Reddit user explained: 'I feel like this is nothing? For example, if you watched the Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence he refers to Rachel Zegler as this woman. It is a common thing during these videos.'
Another commenter agreed, stating: 'Yup! It's part of the schtick of these videos. Heighten the surprise, possibly get a rogue answer, etc etc.' A third simply dismissed the controversy as 'a nothingburger'.
Broader Context of Sweeney's Recent Challenges
Whether intentional or not, the incident occurs against a backdrop of mounting scrutiny facing the twenty-eight-year-old actress. Sweeney has faced significant criticism in recent months, beginning with her American Eagle jeans campaign that drew uncomfortable comparisons to the racist language of eugenicists. Her refusal to apologise or directly acknowledge the backlash further intensified the situation.
Celebrated photographer Misan Harriman publicly condemned Sweeney's response in a GQ magazine interview, where she appeared to shrug off criticism. Harriman wrote: 'Presuming that you are not a white supremacist, at least say how horrified you were by how this campaign was amplified and celebrated by unrepentant racists who believe in eugenics.'
Adding another layer to the potential tension is Sweeney's new romance with divisive music executive Scooter Braun, who happens to be Grande's former manager. Grande was signed to Braun's management company, SB Projects, in early 2013, before reportedly parting ways with him in 2023 along with other artists including Demi Lovato and J Balvin.
The criticism towards Sweeney has extended beyond Grande, with former Orange is the New Black star Ruby Rose and White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood also publicly commenting on the controversies. Wood notably reacted to Harriman's Instagram post about Sweeney's American Eagle campaign with a green nauseated-face emoji, attracting over a thousand likes within an hour.
As the online debate continues, it remains unclear whether Grande's wording was a deliberate slight or simply following established Vanity Fair protocol. What is certain is that the incident has further intensified the spotlight on Sydney Sweeney during what has proven to be a challenging period in her public career.
