Ariana Grande is addressing online criticism about her appearance following the โWicked: For Goodโ premiere and press cycle.
On Nov. 29, Grande posted an Instagram story that featured a clip from a December 2024 interview with co-star Cynthia Erivo, calling it a “loving reminder to all.”
The resurfaced clip comes amid conversation online about the appearance of several members of the โWicked: For Goodโ cast.
During the interview with journalist Salima Jeanne Poumbga, known professionally as Sally, Grande was asked about how she copes with societal beauty standards and critics.
The singer took the opportunity to address commentary about her appearance and defend herself, noting sheโd been part of the discourse since she was a teenager in the public eye.
Grande posted the video Saturday and captioned it, โre-sharing this from last year as a loving reminder to all. I always love and appreciate our talks so much @sally !!!โ
In the full clip, the interviewer pointed out that Glinda, Grandeโs character in โWicked,โ subscribes to beauty standards both for herself, but also to please others. When asked how she navigates beauty expectations and the pressure to look perfect, Grande appeared emotional, calling it a โgood question.โ
โIโve been kind of doing this in front of the public and a specimen in a petri dish really since I was 16 or 17,โ she explained. โI have heard it all. Iโve heard every version of it, of whatโs wrong with me. And then you fix it, and then itโs wrong for different reasons.โ
Grande said that she would be picked apart for โeven just the simplest thing,โ including her appearance. She also reflected on hearing those comments at a young age, adding, โItโs hard to protect yourself from that noise.โ
However, Grande also noted that the criticism is โsomething that is uncomfortable no matter what scale youโre experiencing it on,โ whether it’s directed at a celebrity or not.
โEven if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and someoneโs Granny says, โOh my god, you look skinnier! What happened?โ or โYou look heavier, what happened?โโ she said. โThat is something that is uncomfortable and horrible no matter where itโs happening.โ
Grande said that in society, โthereโs a comfortability that we shouldnโt have at all,โ including commenting on how other people look, speculation about whatโs happening behind closed doors and what people wear.
โThereโs a comfortability that people have commenting on that that I think is really dangerous,โ Grande said. โI think that Iโm really lucky to have the support system that I have to just know and trust that Iโm beautiful. But I do know what the pressure of that noise feels like. Itโs been a resident in my life since I was 17 and I just donโt invite it in anymore. Itโs not welcome.โ
Grande also offered advice to those experiencing a similar situation, adding, โAnd however you all can protect yourself from that noise, whether itโs at a family reunion or online, if you have to block people, I donโt care. If you delete the app entirely. You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s—.โ
The singer has previously addressed commentary about her body and appearance, including responding to โconcernsโ about her weight in April 2023.
Grande shared a TikTok video at the time, noting in the clip that she didnโt tend to speak about rumors but made an exception given the sensitivity of the topic.
โI just wanted to address your concerns about my body and talk a little bit about what it means to a person with a body and to be seen โฆ to be paid this close attention to,โ she said. โI think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on peopleโs bodies, no matter what.โ
Grande later added, โThere are ways to compliment someone or to ignore something that you see that you donโt like that I think we should help each other work towards.โ
