I had no idea she released an album.

Tbh what I think is the most toxic is she is clearly surrounded by people normalizing working when she is not fit to. She looks like a ghost of herself and all of this 'but its her choice' rhetoric is papering over the fact that there are contexts and controls governing round what someone in her position as tied to a record label and contractual obligations are even 'allowed' or capable of choosing in the first place.

There was a great post made some years ago by a woman R&B singer who had worked in the industry before going independent (I forget who it was) and she said that what made her see the industry for what it was was that for all it preached about choice and empowerment, only the people who wanted to take choices and empower themselves in ways that the execs and the advertisers already approved of were allowed to do that, so the whole thing was illusory.

She pointed out that no A-List celebrity or 'role model' type ever was able to appear and talk about how they found it empowering to not wear makeup or just to wear comfortable clothes or not have a team of stylists and dressers with them at every minute, or not go to certain events, or talk too much about politics or about subjects that executives found uncomfortable, whether in their music or in interviews about it.

I think in her best interests she should have a break immediately and postpone the tour tbh.

What’s encouraging about this thread is that we’re all genuine fans (and as fans we notice when someone we heavily admire isn’t quite themselves and that something doesn’t necessarily feel right).

What’s been on my mind throughout the day (and anyone who has knowledge please respond!) but in terms of the tour would she (or anyone in general) need medical checks clearence to be deemed well enough to tour (what with insurance, travelling between venues etc). Obviously the tour was announced almost a year ago now so I don’t think anybody foreseen what the situation would be at this point.

I do hope these last shows are indeed a success and that they go as planned but I feel a sense of fear / nerves for when she heads across to London.

Based off how they said she would finish the tour both 'happily and healthily' feels like a discussion was had maybe? Idk.

She is back to posting about the album and tour also. God its gotta be a difficult show tonight for her after this. Hoping all goes okay

I think it’s a very tough situation re peoples conversations around her as I have seen plenty of outright nasty things being said, but there is also a lot of genuine concern towards her but it is all being lumped into one category with the go to response being “don’t comment on her appearance” which I get to some extent but I also understand people’s worries as I do think she is looking unhealthy and it’s more and more noticeable as time is going on. I do hope that during this break she is able to get some proper help without constant media speculation and commentary

NBC News

How scrutiny over Ariana Grande’s weight affects people w...

Clinicians say they’ve been inundated with calls from people overwhelmed with emotions since the internet lit up over Grande’s appearance.

It’s a very delicate line that people who’ve never struggled with eating disorders won’t understand. I found it really uncomfortable the whole media storm surrounding it and can only imagine how Ariana is feeling.

As someone who has personal experiences with eating disorders, I am actually really glad to read the comments in this thread and that nobody is excusing what is clearly an unhealthy weight and image.

Of course everyone is entitled to look however they wish and we have to be very careful what we say regarding body image, however, when it is unhealthy and dangerous it is the best thing to actually say something. If nothing is said then really we / you / they are to blame if anything fatal happens. The same goes the other way when people are seriously overweight. The first step to help is acknowledging it and sometimes the honest truth is needed for that.

Sadly as well for Ariana, she is in the public eye, she is immensely talented and successful, therefore a big inspiration and role model to say many young fans and even older vulnerable ones. The duty isn't just to her but to all those too.

I sincerely hope if the reason she is taking a break is to focus on any issues, that she gets the help she needs and recovers. She deserves to be happy and healthy.

10 minutes ago, Spiceboy said:

As someone who has personal experiences with eating disorders, I am actually really glad to read the comments in this thread and that nobody is excusing what is clearly an unhealthy weight and image.

Of course everyone is entitled to look however they wish and we have to be very careful what we say regarding body image, however, when it is unhealthy and dangerous it is the best thing to actually say something. If nothing is said then really we / you / they are to blame if anything fatal happens. The same goes the other way when people are seriously overweight. The first step to help is acknowledging it and sometimes the honest truth is needed for that.

Sadly as well for Ariana, she is in the public eye, she is immensely talented and successful, therefore a big inspiration and role model to say many young fans and even older vulnerable ones. The duty isn't just to her but to all those too.

I sincerely hope if the reason she is taking a break is to focus on any issues, that she gets the help she needs and recovers. She deserves to be happy and healthy.

i don’t get how Ariana as a “role model” is suddenly a topic when there 1000s of toxic male public figures redpilling male youth and creating a misogynistic epedemic right before our eyes, like why are people hounding a woman with an eating disorder?

4 minutes ago, k👠th said:

i don’t get how Ariana as a “role model” is suddenly a topic when there 1000s of toxic male public figures redpilling male youth and creating a misogynistic epedemic right before our eyes, like why are people hounding a woman with an eating disorder?

Nobody is saying that isn't an issue, it of course is also an issue and should rightfully be addressed. We are in fact taking very active roles in schools as teachers to address misogynistic behaviour and try to prevent it from developing, even in primary schools due to the rise of such bad influence male figures. There is also plenty of media calling out the likes of Andrew Tate and co for being vile cretins.

I'm not really sure why the comparison tbh as neither are being ignored, just addressed in different ways. I don't agree with Ariana being hounded at all, but I also don't agree with people allowing an unhealthy body image to be promoted as anything other than that, just like I don't agree with toxic male masculinity being promoted as anything other than that.

Tbf its not exclusive to ariana but any celebrity in the public eye is going to be seen as a role model of sorts,

50 minutes ago, k👠th said:

i don’t get how Ariana as a “role model” is suddenly a topic when there 1000s of toxic male public figures redpilling male youth and creating a misogynistic epedemic right before our eyes, like why are people hounding a woman with an eating disorder?

I don't think the whataboutism is helpful. Both things aren't good.