Highlights
- Grande reposts a 2024 interview clip addressing beauty pressures and criticism
- Clip resurfaces amid online discussion about the Wicked: For Good cast
- Singer reflects on years of scrutiny over her appearance
- She urges people to protect themselves from harmful comments
Grande responds to renewed criticism about her appearance
Ariana Grande addresses online commentary about how she looks following the Wicked: For Good premiere and press events. On Nov. 29, she posts an Instagram story featuring a clip from a December 2024 interview with co-star Cynthia Erivo, calling it a “loving reminder to all.”
The timing comes as fans debate the appearance of several members of the film’s cast, prompting Grande to reshare her earlier remarks.
Revisiting her conversation about beauty standards
In the interview with journalist Salima Jeanne Poumbga, known professionally as Sally, Grande is asked how she deals with beauty expectations and criticism. She answers emotionally, explaining that she has faced comments about her appearance since entering the public eye as a teenager.
“I’ve been doing this in front of the public since I was 16 or 17,” she says in the clip, adding that she has heard every possible critique. She notes that even minor changes draw attention and that it can be difficult to shut out that “noise.”
Grande also points out that the pressure is not unique to celebrities. She mentions familiar situations like family gatherings where people comment on weight, saying such remarks feel uncomfortable regardless of who they target.
Calling out the culture of commenting on people’s bodies
Grande says society has grown too comfortable judging how others look or speculating about their personal lives. She describes this as “dangerous,” and credits her support system with helping her maintain confidence despite the pressure.
She adds that she no longer accepts negative commentary in her life and encourages others to do the same. “Protect yourself from that noise,” she advises, whether that means blocking someone or leaving social media entirely.
A topic she has addressed before
Grande has previously spoken about body-focused criticism. In April 2023, she posted a TikTok video in which she urged people to be more careful about commenting on others’ bodies. She said at the time that she rarely addressed rumors but felt the subject required a gentler approach.
She also reminded viewers that there are more considerate ways to compliment someone, or to say nothing at all, when reacting to how another person looks.
