Cherry on top: Grande walks away after dissing the entertainment industry.

Ariana Grande has recently announced that she will be stepping back from the spotlight shortly after releasing her new album, ‘petal’, calling out the toxic treatment towards artists in the entertainment industry. If that isn’t the biggest flip-off to the critics, I don’t know what is.

Screenshot of ‘Like I do’ lyric video. Image: Instagram.com @arigupdated

“I’m making cents off of your nonsense. All that shit talk, keeps me well fed.”

 – Ariana Grande

Grande calls out the critics commenting on her physical appearance regarding her weight loss. In one of her album songs, ‘Like I do’, she addresses how despite all that unnecessary criticism on her body, her fans and the music industry still want her. She is still making bank from those comments and it sure as hell is keeping her satisfied. Every song from her new album made it to the top 40 on Billboard’s Hot 100’s and ‘petal’ is number 1 in Australia, if anyone is asking.

Honestly, did I notice the significant change in her body weight recently? Yes, but everyone’s body changes throughout different phases of their life. Constantly commenting on her body while asking for her old self back is just insane. She is a human being. She’s changed, we’ve changed. Move on.

Screenshot from ‘petal’ music video. Image: Instagram.com @na_tee53

Grande’s album song, ‘petal’, might be the most accurate (and absurd) depiction of how the entertainment industry treats modern artists. From the way artists go through constant rejection due to them not being “good enough” even if they change their whole look, to getting demoralised for being ‘new’ while the industry pushes artists to be their ‘old self’ because it’s the most marketable.

In the music video, Grande compares her vulnerability and resilience to a flower growing through the cracks of a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, signifying her enduring years of relentless criticism and harassment. The first flower then dies as a new flower blooms in its place, after a scene which can only be described as absolute carnage (or according to Grande herself, ‘a little feral’), acknowledges her new sense of self as a person and an artist. Absolute cultural reset.  

Ariana Grande made a divine move that slams the entertainment industry and protects her peace. Bon voyage, queen.