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Ariana Grande is done holding space for other people's opinions about her looks.
In a new interview with her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, the "We Can't Be Friends" singer opened up about the body-shaming comments she has faced throughout her career, starting when she was still a teenager. Grande got emotional when she talked about how the constant criticism made her feel like she was being observed rather than treated as a young person growing up in the world, per People.
"I've been doing this in front of the public and been specimen in a Petri dish really since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all. I've heard every version of it," she said. "You're young and you're hearing all kinds of things."
The Eternal Sunshine hitmaker said the level of "comfortability" people have with commenting on other's looks and personal lives is "dangerous for all parties involved," so it's important to prioritize yourself and protect your peace.
"It's hard to protect yourself from that noise. It's something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you're experiencing it on, even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and someone's granny says, 'Oh my god you look skinnier, what happened?' or 'you look heavier what happened?'" she said.
Grande credits the people she surrounds herself with for being able to handle the scrutiny.
"I'm really lucky to have the support system that I have and to just know and trust that I'm beautiful," she said. "But I do know what the pressure of that noise feels like. It's been a resident in my life since I was 17. I just don't invite it in anymore. I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on. I have so much love. It's not invited, so I don't leave space for it anymore."
For anyone else experiencing similar comments, Grande offered a piece of advice: "You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s---."