Instead of the “Eternal Sunshine” tour, the network is talking about Grande’s weight loss & the breakup with Ethan Slater. What’s behind it?
Ariana Grande opened her “Eternal Sunshine” tour on June 6th. Instead of her most streamed hits, she chose a curated selection of songs that fit into the dramaturgy of the evening. But there is no talk about her vocal power or the new tour aesthetic with its elaborate stage design. The discourse primarily revolves around one question: Is Ariana Grande okay?
And yes, Ariana Grande is “doing well” – an insider tells People magazine. Does this just refer to her split from Ethan Slater – or also to her health? And when should we stop talking about her body?
A divisive discourse
On social media, creators compare their “Positions” tour with images from the live shows of “Eternal Sunshine”. What is noticeable: Ariana Grande has lost a lot of weight from her already normally beautiful body. Fans are worried: Some can hardly look at the pictures without being transported back to their personal history with eating disorders. Other voices reassure: It is not the job of fans to speculate about a star’s well-being. Grande has her own network of friends and family who are there to support her if something is really wrong.
A fundamental dichotomy arises in this discussion: one can be concerned about a person’s health while also being aware that focusing on their body can cause further harm. However, it remains important to keep in mind the message that younger fans are receiving: what is perceived as worrying should not go uncommented. Otherwise it can give the impression that it is desirable to emulate this body image. The discourse oscillates between two principles: not to reduce Ariana Grande to her body – and at the same time not to normalize her significant weight loss. The singer herself asked not to comment on her body in a TikTok video. Their fans should respect that. But what if you still have a bad feeling?
Separation from Slater
In the middle of this media discourse comes a recent piece of news: Ariana Grande has been separated from Ethan Slater for three months. The separation after three years of relationship went well and the two “Wicked” stars are still good friends. The source from which People magazine obtained this information emphasizes that Ariana Grande is “doing well” and is currently focused on her tour.
There is speculation on TikTok: Is the subsequent announcement of the separation a PR strategy to redirect the conversation from Grande’s health to her love life? At the same time, the news triggers an inner sigh of relief: hearing that the singer and actress is doing well also carries over into her health concerns.
Strategically or not, Ariana Grande and her team have ultimately decided that this tour is safe and acceptable for them. Because one thing is certain: a stage show is no walk in the park. And those around her seem convinced: the 32-year-old is doing well after separating from Slater.
While it’s important not to romanticize unhealthy beauty ideals, no one outside of her inner circle knows the personal background and health details behind Ariana Grande’s physical change.