Why are Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and 'Wicked' fans worried?

“Bad” A story about empowerment, friendship, and not judging people by their appearance.

That’s why the stars of the film are particularly noteworthy: Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo − We received a lot of comments on social media from fans making assumptions about their health based on their appearance.

Fans suggested that the film’s stars looked particularly skinny. comments on things like: “Honestly, both (Erivo) and Ariana look extremely bad.” Others came to his defense. “This is more damaging than a lot of people realize.” user x He wrote about discourse. “I’m actually as skinny as Ariana, does that make me anorexic too?”

Grande and Erivo aren’t the only celebrities to receive such comments in recent years. Adele said in October 2021: Vogue She was “disappointed” by “brutal conversations” about her weight loss, and the same month, Jonah Hill urged Instagram followers to refrain from commenting on her body after losing weight.

Experts agree that even well-intentioned comments about someone’s appearance can do more harm than good and should stop.

‘You never know what someone is going through’

Grande previously expressed fans’ concerns about her body on TikTok in April 2023, saying that “there are so many different ways to look healthy and beautiful” and that her previous physical appearance was “the most unhealthy version of my body.”

“I was on a lot of antidepressants, drinking them and eating poorly, and I was at the lowest point in my life when you looked at where you thought I was healthy,” she said. “But actually that wasn’t my healthy state.”

Grande reminded her followers to avoid commenting on other people’s bodies, saying “you never know what someone is going through.”

“Even if you’re coming from a loving and caring place, that person is probably working on it or has a support system that they’re working with,” Grande said. “So be kind to each other and to yourselves.”

Why you shouldn’t comment on someone’s weight

Regional medical director of the Eating Recovery Center, Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar previously told USA TODAY that commenting on someone’s weight reinforces the belief that that person’s appearance is the most important thing about them.

“These comments about how your body is acceptable or unacceptable just reinforce once again that you are not worth more than your body and that you have to present yourself a certain way for the world to find you acceptable,” she said. “It just reinforces this kind of superficial, body-focused idea that we know is so painful and harmful to each of us because we are so much more than this ship that carries us.”

Wassenaar added that comments about someone’s body don’t just affect that person. They affect “every person living in a body.”

Chelsea Kronengold, communications director for the National Eating Disorders Association, previously told USA TODAY that, as Grande noted, another problem with commenting on someone’s appearance is that you don’t know their situation. The Mayo Clinic lists numerous potential causes of weight loss, including physical illnesses as well as mental health issues such as disordered eating.

“Commenting on people’s bodies and weight is completely inappropriate; you don’t even know the intent behind it or what else is going on,” she said.

These comments may also be skinny- or fat shame; Experts say both can lead to mental health problems, such as decreased self-confidence.

Alexis Conason, clinical psychologist and author of “The Dietless Revolution,” previously told USA TODAY that anyone, regardless of size, can struggle with negative body image. That’s why she says it’s best to avoid commenting on people’s bodies, whether they’re skinny, fat, or somewhere in between.

“Your body is nobody’s business, and if someone is commenting on your body, it’s more of a reflection on them,” she said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating issues, you can reach the National Eating Disorders Association’s free and confidential helpline at 1-800-931-2237, or by text or click-to-chat at: nationaleatingdisorders.org/helpline. For 24/7 crisis situations, text “NEDA” to 741-741.

Credit: Edward Segarra, Jenna Ryu and Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY

‘You never know what someone is going through’

Why you shouldn’t comment on someone’s weight

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