Ariana Grande has reached new heights over the past year with the overwhelming success of the film "Wicked," now recognized as the highest-grossing film based on a Broadway musical, and she’s also earned an Oscar nomination. Despite such professional triumphs, insiders reveal the significant toll the grueling shoot schedule and constant press obligations have taken on the petite, 31-year-old star, both physically and mentally.
Sources close to Grande told The Post about the unnerving anxiety she has faced during this busy year. "It’s physically so demanding," remarked one former colleague. The source elaborated on the fierce promotional efforts surrounding "Wicked," pointing out the exhaustion from juggling filming and promotional activities alongside her relationships, particularly with co-star Ethan Slater, 32. They described the pressure as making it difficult for her body to respond normally, saying, "You’re sleeping when you’re supposed to be up, and you’re up when you’re supposed to be sleeping. Between the fashion women deal with – the hair, the makeup, and the nails – it’s nonstop running. It’s superhuman.”
Further insights reveal the relentless demands of being always “on.” The source continued, "You always have to be measured about what you say. You have to really be thinking, ‘If I say this, is it going to come out like this?’ Your brain is nonstop working.” This constant pressure can understandably take its toll, affecting both mental and physical health.
Concerns about Grande's appearance amplified early this year when images surfaced from the "Wicked" set, leading to fan conversations about her noticeably shrinking physique. Grande dyed her hair blonde for the role of Glinda, which, coupled with her paler complexion, sparked even more concern among fans. The singer addressed these worries directly on TikTok, saying, "There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful," and she reflected on what had previously constituted her ‘healthiest version.’
"I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point in my life when I looked the way you’d deem healthy," Grande revealed. She has endured anxiety for many years but has always conducted herself with grace, maintaining her self-acceptance. A former associate noted, "I never got the sense from her she didn’t like who she was or how she looked." Grande has openly discussed feeling like “a specimen in a petri dish,” trapped under constant scrutiny.
During promotional activities for "Wicked," Grande made headlines not only for her captivating performance but also for her openness about mental health. Reflecting on her struggles following the heart-wrenching 2017 Manchester Arena attack, where 22 concertgoers lost their lives, she explained the long road to recovery she has traversed. "I was doing so much therapy, and I was dealing with PTSD and all different kinds of grief and depression and anxiety," she said, attributing much of her healing to music, which she claimed “saved [her] life” during trying times. This experience paved the way for her two successive albums, "Sweetener" and "Thank U, Next," released back-to-back after her devastation.
Another unforgettable moment came when she lost her longtime friend and ex-boyfriend Mac Miller to an accidental overdose. "Mac is her true love – and is always going to be front and center [in her mind],” said one source. The emotional connection still resonates, with Grande wrestling with guilt over his death.
Grande's personal life becomes even more complex as she navigated her marriage to Dalton Gomez, which ended after she started working with Slater. While Grande’s current relationship has drawn attention, insiders are uncertain about its longevity past the initial infatuation associated with "Wicked." A colleague, Joey LaVarco, remarked on Grande's endurance and noted, "She was always very thick-skinned. I don’t think it’s an act, but I don’t think it can last. I don’t think he [Slater] has the thick skin to be with someone like her, especially considering he broke up his marriage for her.”
This perspective echoes the mixed reactions from fans and industry peers alike when it involves Grande’s mental health and romantic choices. While she remains resilient, the stresses of fame, particularly under such scrutiny, are undeniably heavy.
Yet, someone like Grande—who carries the weight of her hardships with her deep commitment to her craft—exemplifies resilience. Her relentless work ethic is matched only by her dedication to maintaining her mental health. One thing remains clear: Ariana Grande is not just surviving the pressure of her career; she is fiercely embodying the spirit of artistry amid it all.