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August 5, 2026 \u2014 7:00pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Fan of Ariana Grande<\/a> or not, you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn\u2019t read at least one of the many headlines this week announcing the actress and musician \u201cwill be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine tour\u201d due to \u201congoing public scrutiny\u201d amid growing concern over her weight loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n Grande isn\u2019t the only high-profile celebrity whose changing body has drawn widespread discussion. Her Wicked co-stars, Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Erivo, also sparked concern during the film\u2019s media tour because of their weight loss, as have other celebrities<\/a>, including Emma Stone, Demi Moore and Kelly Osbourne.<\/p>\n For many parents, the news of these shrinking celebrities has prompted conversations in households. Here\u2019s how the experts recommend you handle those discussions.<\/p>\n Why shrinking celebrities can have a significant effect<\/p>\n It\u2019s true that celebrities unquestionably influence young people in various ways, says Linda Williams, senior manager, clinical governance at ReachOut.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cYoung people go through a range of changes during adolescence \u2013 including exploring their identities \u2013 and celebrities can play a significant role in this aspect of their lives,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n This has only become more common thanks to social media, which Williams says, \u201cmakes us feel closer to celebrities than ever before\u201d.<\/p>\n Body image ideals \u2013 including eating, exercising, grooming, and what body types are deemed aspirational \u2013 are upheld by celebrity culture, and because of this, can have a significant sway on its audience, including young people, says Danni Rowlands, director of education initiatives at the Butterfly Foundation.<\/p>\n \u201cCelebrities dominate trends \u2013 fashion trends, beauty trends, appearance trends \u2013 and obviously when there are shifts in actual body size, that\u2019s also obviously consumed as well,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \u201c\u200aThe thin ideal has been upheld for decades and decades, but sadly, now what\u2019s happening is we\u2019ve got an extreme-thin ideal that\u2019s being pursued \u2026 which for a young person can be really confusing as they strongly internalise what that means for themselves, particularly if their body isn\u2019t aligning naturally with this popular-culture look.\u201d<\/p>\n What first steps can parents take?<\/p>\n Rowlands says parents know their kids best, so in considering whether to broach the subject, using an approach that suits their personality, age and experiences should help guide the conversations that they have.<\/p>\n For example, if you have a younger child, or one who hasn\u2019t heard the discourse around Grande\u2019s health, it might be best not to raise the topic.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to plant seeds, and we don\u2019t want to invite imagery into their lives if it\u2019s not there. So obviously for young children, it\u2019s probably not necessary to bring it up,\u201d Rowlands says.<\/p>\n Williams agrees, saying that a tailored approach to talking to your young person about body image is a good idea, and that it should be based on what you think is appropriate for them and what they might respond well to.<\/p>\n \u201cFor some families this might look like being active and doing something like a regular local walk together alongside those conversations,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n What if my children are big Ariana Grande fans?<\/p>\n If your child is a big Ariana Grande fan (known as \u201cArianators\u201d) and has expressed concern about her health, is distressed by any content they have viewed, or raises the topic of Grande\u2019s body or \u201cshrinking celebrities\u201d, it\u2019s important to approach the discussion with empathy.<\/p>\n \u201cRather than making judgments or comments about Grande\u2019s body, you might say something like \u2018I hope she\u2019s okay\u2019 and \u2018that\u2019s good she\u2019s taking time out for herself\u2019,\u201d says Rowlands.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cActive listening, validating your young person\u2019s feelings, a non-judgmental approach, and not trying to fix the problem are often the most important tools parents and carers can use when communicating with your teen about body image,\u201d Williams adds.<\/p>\n Considering when and where you have a conversation is also critical and can be as important as what is said. Casual, low-pressure settings like driving together are often more effective and if the conversation doesn\u2019t go well, sometimes changing your approach or trying again later can help.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay to try again at a later time if they\u2019re not ready to talk or to try a different approach like sending them some info via text,\u201d says Williams.<\/p>\n Role modelling by parents, especially regarding their own body image, is also important to consider, as children, regardless of their age, are still influenced by their parents\u2019 behaviours.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung people see what you do, and they may adopt the same habits,\u201d Williams says.<\/p>\n \u201cThis could be about not commenting on your own body, theirs or anyone else\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is experiencing an eating disorder, support is available from the Butterfly National Helpline <\/a>on 1800 33 4673, online at\u00a0Butterfly Foundation<\/a> or ReachOut Parents<\/a>, which offer free resources on the issue.<\/p>\n Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox<\/a> every Monday.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Ariana](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4611a6bf06d1b232c8938530a95da333a373102a.jpeg\")
Ariana Grande announced she would be stepping away from public appearances this week due to \u201congoing public scrutiny\u201d. Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Ariana](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785955102_149_ad962f2d3ad0d7016efdde2444be80b9e089621c22695fb2669a50ee8f6408ab.jpeg\")
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