Ariana Grande’s ‘Concerning’ Weight Loss Should Stay Behind Closed Doors

Some say that Ariana Grande isn’t looking well these days after appearing noticeably thinner during her “Wicked” press tour.

The recent awards circuit has only highlighted her fanbase’s concern. Her cheekbones are more pronounced, her arms are rail thin, and her petite frame is noticeably smaller than the last time she took the stage.

With the recent Ozempic craze, weight loss is usually something that society applauds. In this case, it has many asking how thin is too thin?

It’s doubtful that anyone believes that the “Wicked” star is actually on Ozempic. Instead, it seems that she is simply worn out from her busy schedule. Take her role in “Wicked.” The singing, dancing, and long hours no doubt took a physical toll on her body. Combine that with her recent press tour, and it’s likely that she hasn’t had a good night’s rest in some time.

One source even spoke to Page Six about her “superhuman” schedule, noting that her job is “physically so demanding” even though filming has wrapped.

“I don’t even think your body knows when it needs to eat. You’re sleeping when you’re supposed to be up, and you’re up when you’re supposed to be sleeping,” the insider shared. “Between that, and the fashion women deal with, the hair, the makeup, and the nails, it’s nonstop running. It’s superhuman.”

They went on to explain how she “always” has “to be on,” adding, “You have to really be measured about what you say, you always have to be thinking, ‘If I say this, is it going to come out like this?’ Your brain is nonstop working.”

Some women are more focused on their art than on how their body looks. A source who previously worked with Grande told the publication that although she has battled anxiety for years, she has never stressed about her appearance.

“I never got a sense from her that she didn’t like who she was or how she looked,” the anonymous individual claimed, adding that part of her anxiety stemmed from the loss of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, in September 2018. They dated for nearly two years before parting ways a few months before his death.

“Mac is her true love and is always going to be front and center [in her mind],” an insider shared. “She carries a lot of guilt from that, wondering if there was more she could have done to save him.”

They went on to explain that the “Everyday” singer keeps herself busy as a way to cope with his loss. “She’s had some really traumatic things happen,” they continued. “She probably feels better just to work as much as possible.”

Speculation about her health first arose in early 2023, when behind-the-scenes photos of the “7 Rings” singer were spread widely across social media. At the time, she addressed the speculation about her health in a TikTok video, noting that fans don’t know what really goes on behind closed doors.

“There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful,” she said at the time, adding that what many considered her “healthiest” look was actually one of the lowest points in her life. “I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point in my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy.”

She went on to say that the pressures of fame make her feel like “a specimen in a petri dish.” Last December, while speaking with French content creator Crazy Sally (Salima Jeanne Poumbga), she asked fans to show more consideration when discussing people’s bodies online.

“I’ve heard every version of it, of what’s wrong with me, and then you fix it, and then it’s wrong for different reasons,” she explained.

“In today’s society, there’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all, commenting on other’s looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves,” she continued, adding, “You never know what someone is going through.”

Comments like this aren’t helpful. They aren’t showing concern, and can actually make things worse by heightening the anxiety around their appearance. It’s important to remember that celebrities are people too, and although the odds are low that they will actually read your voice, the conglomeration of voices is often accumulated into a headline that implies that this is what society thinks: “Everyone thinks you are too skinny. Everyone thinks you have an eating disorder. Everyone thinks that you need help.”

In this case, it’s more than likely that Ariana Grande is just burned out. She’s exhausted. She is on a busy schedule that will hopefully wrap up with the Oscars next week, allowing her some time to recoup and recover. If she gains some weight, great. If she doesn’t, great. It’s none of our business what she looks like. It’s not even our business to judge what music she decides to put out. We live in a culture where we feel the need to comment on everything. Maybe we need to embrace the idea that it’s okay to say, “This art isn’t for me” and let silence do the talking.

The only thing that matters is that she is surrounded by friends, family, and a team who have her best interests at heart. People who aren’t pushing her to get ahead and stay busy. People who are telling her that it’s okay to take a break before moving on to her next career goal. Even pop sensation Taylor Swift seems to be taking a break from music following the release of her wildly successful Eras Tour, with one source joking that she needs to “hibernate” after such a stressful schedule.

Hopefully, Grande has people who she can turn to in the industry who know exactly what she’s going through and can give her some advice on how to step back if she wants to. But if she doesn’t, that’s her choice, and we don’t have to agree with it, but we do have to respect it. Fans are there to support, not to criticize, just like friends are. And criticism is only warranted when it’s helpful. Chances are, if it’s about what someone looks like, it isn’t.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please know that you are not alone, and help is available. It’s important to seek professional guidance and support from a healthcare provider, therapist, or support group. Please reach out to a trusted professional or a helpline in your area. For immediate support, you can text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor through the Crisis Text Line. Your well-being matters.