Ariana Grande responds to online criticism about her appearance following the premiere and press cycle of Wicked: For Good.
On November 29, Grande posted an Instagram Story featuring a clip from interview in December 2024 with co-star Cynthia Erivo, calling it a “loving reminder for everyone.”
The resurfaced clip comes amid online chatter about the appearance of several members of the “Wicked: For Good” cast.
During an interview with journalist Salima Jeanne Pumbga, known professionally as Sally, Grande she was asked about how she copes with social beauty standards and critics.
The singer took the opportunity to comment on her appearance and defend herself, noting that she has been part of the debate since she was a teenager and in the public eye.
Grande posted the video on Saturday and captioned it, “Re-sharing this from last year as a loving reminder to everyone. I always love and appreciate our conversations @Sally!!!”
In the full clip, the interviewer noted that Glinda, Grande's character in Wicked, holds beauty standards both for herself and to please others. When asked how she deals with beauty expectations and pressure to look perfect, Grande got emotional, calling it a “good question.”
“I’ve been doing this in front of an audience and samples in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17,” she explained. “I've heard it all. I've heard every version of what's wrong with me. And then you fix it, and then it's wrong for different reasons.”
Grande said she would be criticized for “even the simplest thing,” including her appearance. She also recalled hearing these comments at a young age, adding, “It's hard to protect yourself from the noise.”
However, Grande also noted that criticism is a “bad thing no matter what scale you experience it on,” whether it's directed at a celebrity or not.
“Even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and someone's grandma says, 'Oh my God, you look slimmer!' What's happened?” or “You look heavier, what’s wrong?” – she said. “It's something inconvenient and terrible wherever it happens.”
Grande said there are “comforts in society that we shouldn't have at all,” including comments about what other people look like, assumptions about what goes on behind closed doors and what people wear.
“People feel comfortable commenting on something that I think is really dangerous,” Grande said. “I think I'm very lucky that I have the support system that I need to just know and believe that I'm beautiful. But I know what the pressure of that noise is. He's been a constant in my life since I was 17, and I just don't invite him over anymore. It's not welcome.”
Grande also offered advice to those in a similar situation, adding, “And however you can protect yourself from that noise, whether it's in a family gathering or online, if you have to block people, I don't care. If you delete the app completely. You'll protect yourself because no one has the right to talk shit.”
Previously, the singer has already made comments about her body and appearance. including response to “concerns” about her weight in April 2023.
Grande shared TikTok video at the time, noting in the clip that she wasn't inclined to talk about rumors but made an exception given the sensitivity of the topic.
“I just wanted to address your concerns about my body and talk a little bit about what it means for someone with a body and being seen… paid such close attention to,” she said. “I think we need to be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what.”
Grande later added, “There are ways to compliment someone or ignore something you see you don't like, and I think we should help each other work on that.”
