Concerns have been raised by fans and public figures regarding the appearance of singer Ariana Grande, drawing parallels to the late Karen Carpenter, who died from anorexia nervosa at age 32. Grande's recent music video for "Petal" has brought renewed attention to her frame, prompting discussions about body image pressures and eating disorders.
Social media platforms saw "Ariana" and "Karen Carpenter" trending, with users expressing fears that history could repeat itself. Many cited Carpenter's tragic story as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the dangers of public scrutiny and the denial of eating disorders. Grande's team has maintained that the singer is "happy and healthy," but has also announced that she will be taking a break from the spotlight after completing her "Eternal Sunshine" tour amid ongoing public scrutiny of her appearance.
Karen Carpenter's Struggle
Karen Carpenter, who died in 1983, publicly struggled with anorexia nervosa. Despite visible signs of her deteriorating health, including collapsing on stage, her condition was often attributed to "exhaustion." In a 1981 television interview, when asked directly about anorexia, Carpenter responded by saying she was "pooped." Later that year, she confided in her brother Richard about her struggles and began treatment.
According to author Lucy O'Brien's biography "Lead Sister: The Story of Karen Carpenter," Carpenter's treatment involved confronting her compulsive behaviors, including ingesting large amounts of laxatives and thyroid medication to speed up her metabolism. By September 1982, Carpenter was hospitalized, weighing 77 pounds and severely dehydrated with a life-threatening blood potassium level. While hospitalized, she began to recover and gained weight, making plans for her future, including filing for divorce. However, years of malnourishment had taken a significant toll on her body, and she died from cardiac arrest in February 1983. A coroner later attributed her heart failure to the repeated use of ipecac syrup, an emetic drug.
Carpenter's death is widely considered to be the first celebrity casualty of an eating disorder. Following her passing, other public figures, such as Princess Diana, shared their own experiences with eating disorders.
Public Figures Weigh In
Actresses Jameela Jamil and model Charli Howard, both of whom have spoken about their own experiences with eating disorders, have been vocal in urging Grande's team to intervene. Howard posted on social media, stating that imagery like Grande's "Petal" video can be damaging and that the singer may need "psychiatric help and hospitalization." Jamil echoed these sentiments, suggesting Grande might be "possibly dying right in front of us" and that her team was irresponsible for promoting such an image.
Jamil later clarified her comments, emphasizing that her concerns stemmed from her own near-fatal experience with anorexia. She stressed the importance of addressing the glorification of extreme thinness in media, particularly for young audiences, and suggested that silence in such situations can be a form of complicity. She argued that the current aesthetic in Grande's work could be harmful, especially if not related to a physical ailment.
Ariana Grande's Response
In response to the public discourse, Grande's spokesperson announced her intention to take a break from public-facing work after the "Eternal Sunshine" tour. The spokesperson stated that the decision was made amid "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" of her appearance and that Grande looks forward to finishing the tour on a "high note, both healthily and happily."
A source close to the singer indicated that the tour requires a physically demanding performance, which she is undertaking at a healthy level. Grande herself has stated that the hiatus was a pre-planned decision made from an "empowered place" and not a reaction to public concern. She reassured fans that multiple things can be true at once and that while boundaries may need to be set, she would not allow external negativity to distort her reality.
The "Eternal Sunshine" tour is scheduled to conclude in London on September 1. Grande had also withdrawn from an upcoming West End role in "Sunday In The Park with George."