Ariana Grande first entered mainstream entertainment as Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon’s hit show “Victorious.” Since then, she has been the epitome of celebrity speculation. From playing iconic characters like Galinda “Glinda” Upland in "Wicked", having multiple Diamond Records and dating controversies, Grande has become the textbook definition of a pop star.
Since starting her tour for her 2024 album “eternal sunshine,” Grande has yet again found herself in the spotlight for “controversy." Though this time, it’s due to the recent concern of her health
WARNING: MENTIONS OF EATING DISORDERS, DESCRIPTIONS OF BODY TYPES AND IMAGERY
As soon as the Pop-R&B singer’s tour started on June 6, commentary surrounding Grande’s appearance started circulating — the star is noticeablythinner than before filming “Wicked.”
TikTok user @allanthedude discussed a viral picture of the pop singer, which showcased Grande leaning back, making her upper body extremely pronounced — including her noticeably defined ribcage:
“. . .the problem is there are so many fans of hers that are defending her and going at people that are, you know, concerned about this,” Allan said. “ [Saying] that’s body shaming, and that we all need to be body positive. But in my opinion, you can only be so body positive. It gets to a point where this is very harmful.”
The comments on the video are filled with many who agree with the TikToker’s take. Some go on to further speculate Grande’s perceivedstruggling and lack of energy while performing, which fans have been attributing to her having been away from the stage for a while, was due to alleged health concerns.
“ppl are saying oh her performance is not as good bc she hasn’t done this in a minute… like no babe she actually probably has like zero energy for all that choreo???" commenter @beni_angeline wrote.
Previous fans who defended the singer’s rapid weight loss even chimed in, marking their concerns.
“i defended it for a long time, i wanted to believe her when she said she was healthy but i genuinely can’t anymore i’m worried:(" TikTok user @18lx wrote.
The singer’s weight has always been a point of conversation in the media; in 2025, Grande’s "Wicked" co-star, Cynthia Erivo, spoke out about the hate she received from those who blamed her for Grande’s rapid weight loss.
In an interview with USA Today, Erivo talked about her conversations with Grande surrounding online speculation.
“That was right at the beginning. We've had this conversation about people talking about what we look like, and we're able to look at one another and say, 'Just know I see you and everything that you are,”' Erivo said. “'Whatever state you're in, you're so beautiful to me.'”
Grande has been addressing similar concerns since 2023.
In a TikTok posted in April 2023, Grande challenged concerns, saying, “I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what… just to aim toward being safer and keeping each other safer.”
“The body you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body. I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly, and at the lowest points of my life when I looked the way you consider my ‘healthy’. But that, in fact, wasn’t my healthy.”
The recent conversations about body image, the responsibility of public figures and what defines a healthy body are becoming prominent topics in modern celebrity culture.
Many have taken to social media platforms to give their opinion on what is or isn’t an unhealthy body — stating people need to worry about themselves, citing American obesity rates. In 2024, all states had an obesity prevalence of 25% or higher amongst adults; Ohio had an obesity prevalence rate of 36.9%.
Despite the conversations online, there is a lack of acknowledgement of what an eating disorder truly looks like. A topic discussedin the podcast, “Understanding Disordered Eating,” by Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Rachelle Heinemann.
"When eating disorders were portrayed in the media, they said, ‘If you don't look like this, you don't have an eating disorder,’” Heinemann said. “. . . and what's really ridiculous about that is that the majority of people who struggle with eating disorders actually don't look like that."
Disordered eating is also not strictly attributed to body image. In fact, those who have experienced abuse, trauma or anxiety disorders are more likely to experience disordered eating.
Even the idea of “skinny vs. fat” being indicators of health has been disproved in recent decades, with the increased casesof “invisible obesity,” high body fat at normal weights, being seen in health care, removing the weight equation from the obesity crisis.
Grande’s newest album “petal” has also been at the center of scrutiny. Screenshots from the music video of the album’s namesake have gone viral, as it captures the singer posing in a frame showcasing her ribcage and sternum.
Right now, netizens and media outlets are discussing whether people have the right to comment on people’s bodies, such as Variety writers Selome Hailu and Alison Herman writing the article titled “Ariana Grande May or May Not Be Struggling. We Can Talk About It Without Trying to Shame Her.”
Comments are becoming increasingly concerned, with those in recovery for eating disorders speaking about their increasing fascination with Grande’s body type.
Ariana Grande has not been confirmed to have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Her team announced after the conclusionof "The Eternal Sunshine" Tour, the singer is going on a hiatus.
Concern for someone's health isn’t a negative, but it seems there is still needed education on how to handle these topics effectively.
