Ariana Grande’s latest music video has reopened a difficult conversation about celebrity bodies, beauty standards and the price of being constantly watched, reports AP. The release of her album Petal and its new video has triggered renewed public discussion about the singer’s noticeably thin appearance.
Some people have voiced concern about Grande’s health, while others have criticised such comments as body-shaming and an invasion of her privacy. Others argue that celebrities influence young fans, making discussions about their appearance difficult to avoid.
Grande, 33, has faced scrutiny over her appearance throughout her career. More recently, attention has focused on the visibility of parts of her body, including her sternum and rib cage. Grande has rejected suggestions that she is unhealthy and has repeatedly said people should not comment on others’ bodies.
Her representative told People magazine that Grande plans to step back from public life after her current tour because of what was described as “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
Her latest video also confronts the pressure that comes with fame. In the nearly seven-minute production, Grande portrays the harsh process of being evaluated and judged as a public figure.
The debate has prompted experts to question whether public discussion of celebrities’ bodies is helpful. Johanna Kandel, founder and CEO of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, said people should consider why they make such comments and what impact they may have.
Scrutiny of women is nothing new
Public figures have long faced intense scrutiny, with women particularly judged by their appearance. Although body acceptance has gained greater attention in recent years, changing ideas about beauty, health and thinness continue to fuel debate.
The growing use of weight-loss medications, including among celebrities, has added another layer. Some experts fear that the visibility of very thin celebrities could affect people already struggling with body image or eating disorders.
Allison Butler, a senior lecturer in communication at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, said the discussion can become too divided between criticising Grande’s appearance and arguing that nobody should discuss it.
Experts generally agree that people should not assume another person’s health from appearance alone.
Rachel Goldman, a psychologist and clinical assistant professor at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine, urged people to resist speculation about celebrities’ bodies. Public comments about appearance, whether praise or criticism, can reinforce the idea that a person’s worth depends on how they look, she said.
At the same time, experts say concerns about eating disorders and unhealthy relationships with food should not simply be ignored. Kandel recalled that when someone first raised concerns about her own eating disorder, the comment was harsh rather than supportive. She said such issues should be approached with curiosity and compassion instead of criticism.
Helping children understand body image
Experts say parents can help children by shifting conversations away from judging bodies and towards understanding the messages society sends about appearance.
Goldman said children should learn that appearance alone does not show whether someone is healthy or doing well.
“Young people need to understand that their body is just one part of who they are,” she said, stressing that a person’s worth is not determined by body size or shape.
Jennifer Hill, a 56-year-old paediatric nurse from Broomall, Pennsylvania, tries to teach that lesson to her 16-year-old daughter, who is a cheerleader and runner.
Hill said her daughter dislikes comments about her body, so she reminds her that everyone is different and that people are born with different bodies.
She said attitudes have improved since her youth in the 1980s, when people were often more open about making harsh comments about appearance. However, social media has created new pressures for young people.
Through her work with young people experiencing emotional difficulties or eating disorders, Hill has also seen how sensitive body-image conversations can be. Her advice to parents is to listen rather than make direct or judgemental comments.
“Communication is key,” she said, stressing the importance of open conversations where young people have space to speak.
Grande draws a line
Grande recently addressed fans from the stage, acknowledging that some people worry negative attention is affecting her.
She said the situation is more complicated and that setting personal boundaries and taking a break can both be necessary while still allowing her to enjoy her professional and creative work.
Her comments drew loud cheers from fans, many of them young women.
