The new film Wicked was recently released to theaters on Friday, November 22, 2024. Of all the things for people to talk about in the movie, one of the most significant topics is…body image.

For a story that is supposed to be about not judging a person by their appearance, people have been buzzing with concern about the body image of the film’s two leading ladies. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. 

“Fans have speculated the stars of the film look especially skinny, commenting things like: “Honestly both (Erivo) and Ariana look extremely unwell.”” Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany stated in USA Today. 

“Others have come to their defense. “This is more damaging than a lot of people … realize,” one X user wrote about the discourse. “I’m basically as skinny as Ariana. Does that make me anorexic too?””

Even if people do mean well in wanting to show concern for the two cast members, Ariana, Cynthia, and others have expressed their concerns that these types of comments can potentially do more harm than good when it comes to commenting on someone’s physical appearance. 

Ariana went on to social media and explained on TikTok to her fans that there are many ways to look healthy and beautiful and that the way she looked previously was the unhealthiest she had ever been.

Overall, Ariana advised her fans to be mindful of what they say about someone’s body image because you never know what a person could be going through. 

“Even if you are coming from a loving place and a caring place, that person probably is working on it or has a support system that they are working on it with,” she stated. “So, be gentle with each other and with yourselves.”