In a joint interview with WICKED co-star Cynthia Erivo, conducted by French content creator Crazy Sally, Ariana Grande struggles to hold back tears as she discusses the criticism she has faced regarding her appearance, especially during her recent global press tour.
Fans who have followed Grande throughout her career are accustomed to her signature dark hair, winged eyeliner, and glamorous makeup. However, while preparing for her new role in the film, she adopted a softer look featuring blonde hair and minimal glam. While this change is likely linked to her character, it hasn’t stopped the Internet from reacting, with some poking fun at her new appearance and even criticizing it.
RELATED:Ariana Grande Addresses Backlash Over Recent Appearance
During the new interview, Grande, 31, explained, “I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and kind of been, you know, a specimen in a petri dish, really, since I was 16 or 17.” As she began to choke up, she continued, “So, I have heard it all. 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. But that’s everything. Even the simplest thing like your appearance. It’s hard to protect yourself from that noise. It’s something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you’re experiencing it on. Even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and your granny says, ‘You look skinnier. What happened? You look heavier. What happened?’ That is something that is uncomfortable and horrible no matter where it’s happening and no matter the scale it’s happening on.”
“There’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all in commenting on others’ looks or health or how they present themselves, from what you’re wearing to your body to your face,” Grande went on to say. “There’s a comfortability that I think is really dangerous to all parties involved. I am lucky to have a support system to know and trust that I am beautiful.”
The entertainer continued saying, “But I do know what the pressure of that noise feels like. It’s been a resident in my life since I was 17. I just don’t invite it in anymore. It’s not welcome. I have work to do. I have a life to live. I have friends to love on. It’s not invited. I don’t leave space for it anymore. No one has the right to say shit.”
Grande concluded by stating that cyberbullying is “dangerous.”
Click HERE to watch Grande’s latest interview in the video below. “Wicked” is set to be released in theaters nationwide from Universal Pictures.