“Wicked” tells a tale of empowerment, friendship, and the importance of not judging others based on their appearance.

This message is particularly relevant as the film’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, have recently faced numerous social media comments from fans making assumptions about their health due to how they look.

Many fans have remarked on the actresses’ appearances, suggesting they look unhealthily thin, with comments like: “Honestly, both (Erivo) and Ariana look extremely unwell.” However, some fans have defended them, stating, “This type of conversation is more damaging than most people realize,” one user on X argued. “I’m nearly as skinny as Ariana; does that mean I’m anorexic too?”

Grande and Erivo aren’t the only famous figures to encounter such remarks in recent times. For instance, in October 2021, Adele expressed her disappointment about the harsh dialogues regarding her weight loss during an interview with Vogue, while Jonah Hill urged his Instagram followers to stop commenting on his body following his weight changes.

Experts emphasize that even well-meaning remarks about someone’s appearance can do more harm than good—these discussions need to cease.

‘You never know what someone is experiencing’

Grande addressed fans’ worries about her body in a TikTok post from April 2023, explaining that “there are various ways to be healthy and beautiful,” and that her previous looks were “the unhealthiest version of my body.”

“I was dealing with a lot of antidepressants, alcohol, and poor eating habits, and that was my lowest point in life when I appeared to be at my healthiest,” she mentioned. “But that wasn’t actually healthy for me.”

Grande reminded her audience that “you never know what someone else is going through,” urging them to avoid remarks about other people’s bodies.

“Even when coming from a caring place, that person could be working through things or have a support system helping them,” Grande noted. “So, let’s be gentle with each other and with ourselves.”

Reasons to avoid commenting on someone’s weight

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, medical director at the Eating Recovery Center, has previously stated to YSL News that commenting on someone’s weight promotes the notion that one’s appearance is their most significant attribute.

“Such comments about whether a body is acceptable or not reinforce the idea that a person’s worth is tied to their appearance… suggesting they must conform to certain standards to be deemed acceptable,” she explained. “This perspective is shallow and detrimental for everyone, as we are far more than just the physical form we inhabit.”

Wassenaar added that remarks about someone’s body affect not only the individual but also everyone else in society.

Another issue with commenting on appearances, as Grande pointed out, is that you never know what circumstances a person may be facing. Chelsea Kronengold, a communications lead at the National Eating Disorders Association, has also echoed this sentiment, mentioning that the Mayo Clinic identifies numerous possible reasons for weight loss, including mental health issues or physical health problems.

“Making comments about people’s bodies and their weight is entirely inappropriate—you can’t know their personal situation or what may be happening behind the scenes,” she said.

These remarks can also lead to both skinny- and fat-shaming, which experts agree can contribute to mental health issues like lower self-esteem.

Alexis Conason, a clinical psychologist and author of “The Diet-Free Revolution,” stated that anyone can struggle with negative body image, regardless of their size. She believes it is best to refrain from commenting on anyone’s appearance, whether they are skinny, overweight, or fall anywhere in-between.

“Your body is your own business; if someone comments on it, it largely reflects their issues rather than yours,” she added.

If you or someone you know is facing body image or eating concerns, you can contact the National Eating Disorders Association’s confidential helpline by calling or texting 1-800-931-2237 or by sending a message through click-to-chat on nationaleatingdisorders.org/helpline. For crisis situations available 24/7, text “NEDA” to 741-741.