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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Ariana Grande attends the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic)
Dr. Patrick Wanis, a behavioral and relationship expert, explained that much of the constant commentary on Ariana Grande’s appearance is driven by what psychologists call a “parasocial relationship”—a one-sided emotional attachment fans develop to a celebrity, even though the celebrity has no awareness of their existence.
“Ariana Grande became famous as a Nickelodeon child star around age 17. The public has grown up with her and sees her through the lens of nostalgia, purity, and a fixed image of youth,” Dr. Wanis shared in an email to Bored Panda.
“Accordingly, any physical change—weight loss, weight gain, or aging—is magnified because people expect her to remain the same forever. Her fans identify with her youth.”
The issue of weight loss in the entertainment industry has long been a topic of debate. Celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, and many others often make headlines for any weight fluctuations, whether gain or loss.
Extraordinary pressure
Celebrities, particularly women, often face immense pressure to meet unrealistic body standards, which can lead to unhealthy weight loss practices.
While Grande has not publicly addressed the concerns about her health, her fans are urging her to take care of herself and prioritize her wellbeing.
“The public expects female celebrities to strike an impossible balance—thin but not ‘too thin,’ toned but not ‘too muscular,’ natural but not ‘too real.’ This is an extension of the extraordinary pressure and societal expectation of women,” Dr. Wanis explained.
This “toxic mix of nostalgia, beauty standards, and social media culture” creates immense pressure on Grande and other pop stars to “remain frozen in time – eternally youthful, while still conforming to impossible expectations of unattainable standards if not perfection,” said Dr. Wanis, the creator of SRTT Therapy (Subconscious Rapid Transformation Technique).
Ariana’s journey has been an open one, from overcoming personal struggles to finding her voice in an often demanding industry. Her fans admire her resilience, but they are also quick to remind her that she deserves to be healthy and happy above all else.
As the discussion continues, it’s clear that her fans’ priority is her physical and mental health, and they will be waiting for updates from the star, ho