Ariana Grande is getting candid about online criticism she’s faced since stardom.
The Wicked star, 31, sat for a joint interview with costar Cynthia Erivo, where the Grammy winner nearly choked up discussing online criticism.
“I’ve been doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a Petri dish really since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all. I’ve heard every version of it,” Grande told French content creator Crazy Sally after taking a moment to maintain her composure.
“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 someone’s granny says ‘Oh my god you look skinnier, what happened?’ or ‘you look heavier what happened?’” she added.
Grande lamented the society’s “comfortability” in sharing their opinions on someone’s personal life or looks, insisting it “dangerous for all parties involved.”
The singer expressed relief at managing to detach herself from online hate by surrounding herself with loved ones.
“I’m really lucky to have the support system that I have and to just know and trust that I’m beautiful. 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. I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on. I have so much love. It’s not invited, so I don’t leave space for it anymore.”
She also urged others to protect their sanity, adding, “You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s***.”
