Ariana Grande took to social media on Tuesday to eloquently push back against body shamers.
The 29-year-old singer shared a video to TikTok in which she referenced recent concern from fans about her appearance, while claiming she was healthier than ever.
Ariana, who has been filming the Wicked adaptation in London for the past few weeks, has faced comments from social media users pointing out her weight and suggesting that her face has changed over time.
But the hitmaker said the version of her body people compared her to was the “unhealthiest version of my body,” and she saw her current appearance as a major improvement for her health.
She kept her selfie video casual, filming it against a row of windows while wearing a low-profile gray zip hoodie atop a pale pink tank top.
Standing up for herself: Ariana Grande, 29, defended herself against body shamers in a TikTok video posted Tuesday saying her current body is the healthiest version of her
Weighing in: Some fans had shared their concerns on social media about Grande’s current weight and alleged changes to her face in recent years
She had her blonde hair tied back tightly to frame her impeccably made-up face and glossy lips, while accessorizing with a white handbag slung over her body.
Before she started, Ariana admitted, “I don’t do this very often. I do not like it. I’m not good at it.
“But I just wanted to bring up your concerns about my body and talk a little bit about what it means to be a person with a body and to be seen and given so much thought,” she continued. “I think we need to be softer and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies no matter what.
This even included omitting positive compliments if they were too focused on someone’s appearance.
“If you think you’re saying something good or well-intentioned, whatever it is, healthy or unhealthy, big or small, this or that, sexy or not sexy, then we really need to work on not doing that so much.”
She suggested that her fans—and critics—should focus on less physical compliments, or just learn to “ignore” any traits in her and other people that they didn’t like.
“I think we need to help each other just be safer and keep each other safer,” she added.
But Ariana focused more specifically on herself, citing that despite what some of her fans might think, she thought she was in better health than she has been in the past.
‘I also want to say: one, there are many different kinds of beauty. There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful,” she said. “And personally for me, the body you compared my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body.”
She explained that she was “on a lot of antidepressants” and “drinking on them,” which is not usually recommended due to dangerous interactions.
Ariana also admitted that she was “eating badly and was at the lowest point of my life when I looked what you consider my healthy…”
Mind your business: “I think we should be softer and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies no matter what,” she said
More than meets the eye: Ariana claimed that the “healthy” version of herself from a few years ago that others clung to wasn’t actually healthy, because she took multiple antidepressants — while drinking — and ate poorly
She clarified that the years-old version of herself “wasn’t my health.”
“I know I don’t have to explain that, but I do feel that if I have openness or vulnerability, something good might come out of it. That’s the first thing, healthy can look different,” she said.
She also reminded her fans that they are not actually friends with her and therefore do not know any details about her physical or mental health.
“You never know what someone is going through, so even if you come from a loving place or a caring place, that person is probably working through it or has a support system that they’re working through,” she continued.
Ariana decided by trying to cheer up her fans and followers who had made similar rude comments about their appearance or health.
“You’re beautiful no matter what stage you’re in,” she declared.
She also tried to avoid seemingly inevitable criticism on her face by noting that she wasn’t as made up as she often is in public.
“By the way, I’m not wearing eyelashes or eyeliner at the moment, this is my face, these are my eyes, so don’t worry about that now too, oh my God,” she added.
“I send you lots of love and I think you’re beautiful no matter what you’re going through, no matter your weight, no matter how you like to do your makeup these days, no matter what cosmetic procedures you’ve had or not or anything,” she added before she signed out. “I just think you’re beautiful and wanted to share some feelings. Have a very nice day and I send you lots of love.’
In May 2021, Ariana marked Mental Health Awareness Month by “ending the stigma around mental health and normalizing asking for help.”
“Healing is not linear, fun, fast or not easy at all, but we are here and we must commit to making this time as healthy, peaceful and beautiful as possible. the work is so hard, but we are capable and worth it. sending so much love and strength,” she added while sharing multiple mental health slides.
Affirmations: “You are beautiful no matter what stage you are in,” she added as a pep talk to fans, though she asked them not to judge her because of the state of her makeup
Mental health: Grande has been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression over the years, as well as PTSD; seen in 2016 in LA
Heartbreaking: The singer developed PTSD after the tragic bombing of her 2017 concert in Manchester, England, which left 23 dead and more than 1,000 injured; seen in 2017
She’s previously been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
She developed the condition after the tragic bombing at her 2017 concert in Manchester, England.
An Islamist extremist suicide bomber detonated an explosive device as concertgoers tried to leave the venue, killing 23 people and injuring more than 1,000 others.
Grande was unharmed, but she struggled to move on after the devastating incident.