Ariana Grande Body Image Backlash Harming Eating Disorder Patients, Healthcare Providers Warn
Clinicians say viral criticism of Grande’s appearance has driven more distress calls, as advocates warn the video’s imagery can trigger vulnerable viewers.
- On August 6, NBC reported that mental health clinicians were inundated with calls from individuals with eating disorders following Ariana Grande's July 31 release of the 'Petal' music video and ensuing online criticism of her appearance.
- The internet reaction intensified debate over celebrity body scrutiny after Grande released 'Petal,' with many viewers labeling the imagery as evidence of the 33-year-old singer's struggles, a claim she has not directly addressed.
- Healthcare providers note that intense, unmoderated commentary about one person's body ripples outward to trigger those already vulnerable to disordered thinking. Model and recovery advocate Charli Howard criticized Grande's management over the video's imagery.
- On August 2, Grande confirmed she will pause public-facing work after her 'Eternal Sunshine' tour concludes on September 1, citing 'ongoing public scrutiny' as the primary reason for stepping back from the spotlight.
- Media coverage of celebrity bodies plays a significant role in body image concerns, according to Dr. Rebecca Boswell of Penn Medicine Princeton's Center for Eating Disorders, creating a major risk factor for those with eating disorders.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Commenting on the appearance of others is more likely to harm than to help.
Ariana Grande Body Image Backlash Harming Eating Disorder Patients, Healthcare Providers Warn
Mental health clinicians say the public pile-on over Ariana Grande's appearance is no longer just a celebrity story, it is landing directly on their patients. Since the pop star released the music video for her single 'Petal' on 31 July 2026, clinicians who treat people with eating disorders say they have been inundated with calls from people overwhelmed with emotions since the internet lit up over Grande's appearance. The 33-year-old singer has…
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Nickelodeon Star Ariana Grande Takes Demonic Turn With Blood Soaked 'Petal' Music Video
Ariana Grande has taken a startling turn into darkness with the release of her new music video for “Petal,” a project that abandons the wholesome image that once defined her as a Nickelodeon star. According to a report from AOL published this week, the singer appears soaked in blood amid graphic special effects and dystopian […]
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