Ariana Grande has always been a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, admired for her talent, stunning looks, and relatable personality.
However, recent public appearances have sparked concern among fans.
“Scarily skinny”
Ariana Grande has been a household name ever since she rose to fame as a child star on Victorious. Over the years, she’s undergone various transformations, both professionally and personally. But her most recent change — marked by a noticeable weight loss — has certainly captured the attention of fans in a big way.
When Ariana Grande graced the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards, the internet quickly flooded with comments about her appearance once again.
The 31-year-old pop star can’t seem to avoid the endless online discussions about her body every time she steps into the public eye.
A recent photo of her signing autographs at the BAFTAs sparked fans to label her as “scarily skinny” and “terribly thin.”
“Terribly thin. I hope she can turn this around before it’s too late. I’m sure her organs are working overtime,” read one comment.
Another said, “She suffers from anxiety and this picture actually looks as if she is getting better. She was smaller than this at one point.”
“I hope she’s okay. She doesn’t look well,” another wrote. “…Something is up.”
Many quickly speculated that Ariana Grande’s appearance was the result of an eating disorder (ED).
”There is Hollywood skinny then there’s not ok skinny and she is not ok that is alarming skinny,” one commenter wrote.
“This is anrexia,” one person remarked, while another agreed, saying, “Damn, she’s anrexic. She needs help as soon as possible. Before her heart stops.”
“This is actually getting really concerning,” a fan added. “Every time she’s out and about she looks like she’s getting skinnier. To the people saying she’s fine, no she isn’t, this is the purest example of an*rexia there is.”
“She clearly has an ED and she needs help,” another said. “She’s scarily skinny these days … Atp she’s just skin and bones.”
Dr. Patrick Wanis, a behavioral and relationship expert, explained that much of the constant commentary on Ariana Grande’s appearance is driven by what psychologists call a “parasocial relationship”—a one-sided emotional attachment fans develop to a celebrity, even though the celebrity has no awareness of their existence.
“Ariana Grande became famous as a Nickelodeon child star around age 17. The public has grown up with her and sees her through the lens of nostalgia, purity, and a fixed image of youth,” Dr. Wanis shared in an email to Bored Panda.
“Accordingly, any physical change—weight loss, weight gain, or aging—is magnified because people expect her to remain the same forever. Her fans identify with her youth.”
The issue of weight loss in the entertainment industry has long been a topic of debate. Celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, and many others often make headlines for any weight fluctuations, whether gain or loss.
Extraordinary pressure
Celebrities, particularly women, often face immense pressure to meet unrealistic body standards, which can lead to unhealthy weight loss practices.
While Grande has not publicly addressed the concerns about her health, her fans are urging her to take care of herself and prioritize her wellbeing.
“The public expects female celebrities to strike an impossible balance—thin but not ‘too thin,’ toned but not ‘too muscular,’ natural but not ‘too real.’ This is an extension of the extraordinary pressure and societal expectation of women,” Dr. Wanis explained.
This “toxic mix of nostalgia, beauty standards, and social media culture” creates immense pressure on Grande and other pop stars to “remain frozen in time – eternally youthful, while still conforming to impossible expectations of unattainable standards if not perfection,” said Dr. Wanis, the creator of SRTT Therapy (Subconscious Rapid Transformation Technique).
Ariana’s journey has been an open one, from overcoming personal struggles to finding her voice in an often demanding industry. Her fans admire her resilience, but they are also quick to remind her that she deserves to be healthy and happy above all else.
As the discussion continues, it’s clear that her fans’ priority is her physical and mental health, and they will be waiting for updates from the star, hoping to see her flourish in every aspect of her life.