A growing online discourse highlights public concern over an "epidemic of thinness" in Hollywood, with celebrities like Ariana Grande and Jenna Ortega frequently cited as examples. This trend has triggered distress among social media users, particularly those struggling with eating disorders, who report feeling negatively impacted by the perceived extreme thinness of public figures.
Online forums dedicated to eating disorder discussions feature anonymous posts expressing "triggering" reactions to Grande's appearance, with some users stating it leads to feelings of inadequacy and a desire to restrict eating. One poster described experiencing a "very brief point of accepting my body before it became a trend to be gravely skinny" and finding themselves "back to square one."
While the article's author states they do not claim to know the health conditions of any celebrity or seek to diagnose anyone, the observation of "worryingly thin" appearances of actresses including Grande, Jenna Ortega, Emma Stone, Demi Moore, and Olivia Wilde has fueled these online conversations. Kaia Gerber, daughter of model Cindy Crawford, noted in a Vogue interview that "We're clearly in one of those cycles right now where people are very, very, very thin." Gerber has also spoken about her own experiences with "disordered eating."
The music video for Grande's song "Petal" drew comparisons to singer Karen Carpenter, who died from anorexia-related heart failure, due to the visible protrusion of Grande's ribs and collarbones. Grande has not publicly stated she has an eating disorder, but actress and activist Jameela Jamil commented on Instagram that Grande "is probably dying right in front of us," and criticized Grande's team for not guiding her away from promoting a "deeply damaging image." Jamil, who has stated anorexia nearly killed her, faced backlash for her comments and was accused of "body shaming."
Grande announced in early August a temporary hiatus from public life, citing "endless, ongoing public scrutiny." This follows similar critiques of her physique during the promotion of her film "Wicked" in 2024, when she responded on Instagram that comments on others' appearances were "uncomfortable and horrible."
Jenna Ortega, star of the series "Wednesday," also drew attention for her appearance in a recent Esquire interview. Ortega admitted to working "all day without eating, drinking" during her younger years on TV production sets.
Other actresses, including Emma Stone, Olivia Wilde, and Demi Moore, have also faced scrutiny for their slim frames. Photos of Moore at recent events like the Cannes Film Festival and Paris Fashion Week have amplified concerns. Moore has previously spoken about the pressures of Hollywood to be thin, recounting in a Golden Globe acceptance speech "moments when we don't think we're smart enough, we're pretty enough, we're skinny enough." In a 2025 interview with People magazine, she described engaging in "crazy things with diet and exercise" and that she "did torture myself" due to placing significant value on her outward appearance.
These discussions are occurring alongside a reported revival of pro-anorexia online forums, where users share "starvation tips and pictures of women with skeletal body shapes." Terms like "thinspo" and "bonespo" are used to label images of celebrities, including Grande, as inspiration for extreme thinness. The National Eating Disorder Association notes that anorexia is the deadliest eating disorder, and young women aged 15-24 are significantly more likely to die if diagnosed with the condition.
Experts and commentators suggest that Hollywood could mitigate these effects by reconsidering the casting of extremely thin women in prominent roles. The article advocates for lifting the "blanket of silence" around discussions of unhealthy body images, arguing that celebrity hurt feelings should not be a reason for censorship. The author states a refusal to remain silent as young women are presented with a "dangerous new standard of beauty."