The conversation surrounding extreme thinness among famous women has become increasingly difficult to ignore on social media platforms. Numerous images depicting stark weight loss, alongside “before and after” compilations, have sparked widespread speculation regarding the covert use of GLP-1 medication. Much of this dialogue is framed under the guise of “genuine concern for eating disorders,” yet experts suggest that many of these posts, while well-meaning, misinform the public about eating disorders and can inadvertently serve as unhealthy inspiration or trigger crises in those in recovery.
This discourse has escalated following the release of Ariana Grande’s new music video for her single and album “Petal.” In it, she auditions before a table of misogynistic studio executives who urge her to “lose a few pounds” and consider cosmetic enhancements. The overwhelming majority of comments on YouTube voice concern for Grande’s health due to her perceived thinness. Other celebrities, such as Jameela Jamil, have spoken out, criticising the video for idealising an image that could be profoundly harmful to its young viewers.
Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of eating disorders that may be distressing for some readers.
The Return of Extreme Thinness and Its Implications
In response to the public outcry following the video, Grande’s team announced her withdrawal from a planned theatrical tour in London’s West End, stating that she would “take a well-deserved break from work and public appearances, which have subjected her to relentless and constant public scrutiny” after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour. However, this announcement led to further backlash, with critics arguing that they were being labelled as villains for expressing concern over the health and influence of the pop star.
It is understandable that people are concerned about Grande and what may be happening behind the scenes. The resurgence of an unhealthy beauty standard reminiscent of “heroin chic,” following the rise and seemingly fall of the body positivity movement in the 2010s, coincided with a troubling increase in young individuals seeking treatment for eating disorders.
Posting about eating disorders, whether regarding celebrities or not, can stem from a sincere desire to protect individuals from these conditions. Nevertheless, the images highlighting Grande’s thinness have become unavoidable, even for those actively trying to shield themselves from their impact. Their omnipresence is exacerbated by social media algorithms that present users with an increasingly extreme array of content similar to what they have previously engaged with.
Allison Logue, a family therapist with a decade of experience in treating patients with eating disorders, asserts that sharing specific images of Grande, including “before and after” comparisons, is both futile and damaging. She notes that sharing comparative images is common among individuals suffering from eating disorders. Many viral posts examining the physical appearance of famous women are indistinguishable from pro-anorexia spaces, where at-risk individuals use such images for inspiration and competition to achieve similar looks.
When celebrities receive an influx of attention for their weight loss, it can encourage some individuals with eating disorders to attempt to replicate that look and seek similar interest, Logue explains. The pervasive obsession with celebrity weight further reinforces the notion that everyone is paying attention to and judging one’s appearance, potentially amplifying the fears of those with eating disorders.
Shifting Focus Away from Celebrity Appearances
Although Logue acknowledges that Grande’s appearance is concerning—having been so for several years—she emphasises that, as an outsider, she cannot definitively state whether the singer suffers from an eating disorder. She points out that the media’s excessive focus on thinner bodies can obscure an important reality: eating disorders can affect individuals of any size.
When a patient seeks treatment, Logue explains, she does not use their physical appearance as a basis for concern or motivation, as there are always other influencing factors at play. “In the case of a public figure, we lack real information about those factors. Instead, most people focus solely on how their body appears,” she notes.
While many commentators claim their concern lies less with Grande herself and more with the potential impact on her young admirers, Logue suggests that concentrating our efforts on the appearances of celebrities does not significantly combat the aspiration towards thinness in everyday life.
“We have normalised comments such as, ‘You look very fat… or too thin.’ When I work with clients, that is the dangerous part,” Logue asserts. She adds, “I have never had a client sit with me and say, ‘I developed an eating disorder because I heard Demi Lovato had one.’”
The Dangers of Viral Content in Addressing Eating Disorders
A clear indication that viral posts about celebrities do not assist individuals with eating disorders is that few, if any, of them share resources, such as links to organisations like the National Eating Disorders Association. Additionally, many of these posts contain an undeniable tone of sarcasm, cruelty, and carelessness. There are viral compilations of famous women accompanied by captions like “it’s not just Ariana,” most of which entirely exclude famous men. Some individuals have employed AI tools to alter images of these women, making them appear obese, and used them as memes, while others have scrutinised every part of their bodies in photographs to declare that they are too thin.
Women in various stages of recovery from eating disorders are actively addressing this issue. Slovak actress Natália Franz commented on a clip about celebrities and eating disorders: “I wish someone had cared about me when I wasn’t eating, rather than normalising it.”
Franz expresses her concern over the influence celebrities wield over their followers and hopes that the discussion can change the culture for her own daughter. She also notes that her body image issues began at home and that parents must be cautious about how they discuss food and appearance in front of their children.
“I find it strange that this heated debate centres solely on one celebrity. But when you see so many celebrities losing significant amounts of weight, it’s clear that patriarchy is behind all of this,” comments Franz.
The Complexity of Eating Disorders and Public Perception
Having experienced eating disorders can provide a more informed perspective, as seen in the nuanced conversations unfolding online. However, the reality is that eating disorders are complex, multifaceted, and vary from person to person. Outsiders cannot deduce what is happening in the private lives of any celebrity based on the limited information they share publicly, yet this does not prevent people from labelling those close to them as enablers or assuming that stepping away from public life means they are seeking treatment for an eating disorder.
“Discussing the issue in an exaggerated, sensationalised, and alarmist manner will not encourage people to seek help. Many social media users are misinformed, lacking knowledge on the subject, and unaware that what they are witnessing is harmful,” states Keesha Amezcua, clinical director at the Alsana Eating Disorder Treatment Centre.
For further information, you can visit the National Eating Disorders Association’s website. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, various health and mental guidance lines are available in different countries. In Mexico: Línea de la Vida 800 911 2000. In Colombia: Línea Nacional 106. In Argentina: Línea Nacional de Salud Mental 0800 999 0091.