Scrutiny of Ariana Grande’s Weight, Body Could Be Triggering to People With Eating Disorders, Expert Says
Ariana Grande is stepping away from the spotlight following relentless speculation about her weight and health.
“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” a representative for the singer told People. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
When ‘helpful’ comments can harm
Much of that scrutiny has revolved around Grande’s appearance. During the Wicked: For Good press tour, many fans commented on her thinness. Chatter only increased following the recent release of her “Petal” music video, where she appeared gaunt. In the horror movie-inspired video, Grande plays an aspiring 1960s-era performer who faces repeated rejection from a panel of faceless men in suits. At one point, one of the men makes a note that it “couldn’t hurt [her] to lose a few LBS.”
Grande has asked in the past for people to stop focusing so much on her weight and appearance. But that has not stopped fans, who often claim that their comments come from concern for her well-being. (Aside from saying that she needs a break, Grande has not shared specific details about her health.)
Grande’s stardom means many people feel free to comment on her body. But even the non-famous can be on the receiving end of purportedly “helpful” comments about their looks. Those remarks can be damaging to a person who has issues with their weight, body image, or health, Natalia Dayan, LMSW, Global Strategy Director at Crisis Text Line, told Showbiz Cheat Sheet.
“Even when comments are framed as concern, repeatedly discussing someone’s weight or appearance can be harmful. We often assume that concern is inherently helpful, but unsolicited comments about someone’s weight or appearance can reinforce the idea that their body is public property,” Dayan explained,
“We can’t determine a person’s health by looking at them, and public speculation about someone’s body can increase shame, anxiety, and self-consciousness, particularly if they are coping with an eating disorder, another health condition, or personal challenges,” she added. “Respecting someone’s boundary not to comment on their body is the most supportive response.”
Grande may not be the only one affected by the discourse around her appearance. People with an eating disorder or body image issues can be negatively affected by those conversations as well.
“For individuals with an eating disorder or a history of one, repeated media attention to a celebrity’s body can reinforce body surveillance and social comparison, two psychological processes that are known to maintain eating disorder symptoms and body image issues,” Dayan said. “It can also increase preoccupation with weight and shape, making recovery more challenging.”
Dayan suggested that those who feel triggered by conversations around a celebrity’s weight might find it “helpful to set boundaries around content that negatively impacts your well-being, such as limiting exposure to body-image discussions, taking breaks from social media, and practicing coping strategies like grounding techniques, journaling, or meditation.”
Those who are struggling and need additional support can also reach out to the free, 27/7 Crisis Text Line. Simply text HELLO to 741741 to reach a trained, live Volunteer Crisis Counselor.
Ariana Grande asks fans to respect her ‘boundaries’
Meanwhile, Grande reassured her concerned fans that she is making the best choices for herself. In a statement during her concert in Chicago on August 3, the “Petals” singer said her decision to take a break “was not a reactive or impulsive thing.”
“It is something that I have decided, it’s a plan that I have quietly made, a long time ago, and it’s decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” she continued (via USA Today.)
“Multiple things can be true at the same time,” the 33-year-old added. “Boundaries can need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes, and also, this can be, and will continue to be, the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.”
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