Concern Grows As Insiders Reveal Why Ariana Grande Is Shedding Pounds

Ariana Grande may be riding the highest wave of her career, but insiders claim the demands of filming, promotion, and personal struggles have taken a toll on the singer-actress.

Following the release of "Wicked: Part One," which has become the highest-grossing film based on a Broadway musical in history, and her first-ever Oscar nomination, Grande should be in celebration mode.

However, sources say the grueling demands of her Hollywood commitments, combined with past traumas and a highly publicized personal life, have left Ariana Grande visibly struggling.

Grande's appearance at the BAFTA Film Awards sparked fresh speculation about her health. Dressed in a plunging V-neck Louis Vuitton gown, the singer looked noticeably thinner, with fans pointing out her hollow cheeks and visible sternum.

According to a former colleague of Grande, her relentless schedule is taking a major toll on her well-being.

“It’s physically so demanding,” the insider told Page Six, referencing the "Wicked" promotional blitz and her relationship with co-star Ethan Slater. “I don’t even think your body knows when it needs to eat. You’re sleeping when you’re supposed to be up, and you’re up when you’re supposed to be sleeping. Between that, and the fashion women deal with, the hair, the makeup, and the nails, it’s nonstop running. It’s superhuman.”

The source continued, emphasizing how mentally and physically draining her commitments have become.

“You always have to be on," they said. "You have to really be measured about what you say, you always have to be thinking, ‘If I say this, is it going to come out like this?’ Your brain is nonstop working.”

Another source, who previously worked with Grande, noted that while the singer has battled anxiety for years, she always seemed confident in herself. “I never got a sense from her that she didn’t like who she was or how she looked,” the person said.

Fans first raised concerns about Grande’s shrinking physique in early 2023 when behind-the-scenes photos from "Wicked" emerged. The dramatic change in her weight, combined with her blonde hair for the role, made her look paler in certain shots, leading to online speculation about her health.

In April 2023, Grande directly addressed the chatter in a TikTok video, urging fans to be more considerate when discussing people’s bodies.

“There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful,” she said at the time, adding that what many considered her "healthiest" look was actually her lowest point. “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 consider my healthy.”

The "7 Rings" singer has previously spoken about the pressures of fame, admitting she often feels like "a specimen in a petri dish."

“I’ve heard every version of it, of what’s wrong with me, and then you fix it, and then it’s wrong for different reasons,” she shared in a heartfelt interview with French content creator Crazy Sally (Salima Jeanne Poumbga) while promoting "Wicked" in London last December.

“In today’s society, there’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all, commenting on other’s looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves," she added. "You never know what someone is going through."

Ariana Grande has faced immense personal challenges over the years, with one of the most devastating moments being the loss of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, in September 2018.

The rapper tragically died from an accidental drug overdose, just months after their breakup. Following his passing, Grande paid tribute to him on Instagram, calling him “my dearest friend” and “the kindest, sweetest soul.”

Grande and Miller had dated for nearly two years before parting ways earlier that year. While their relationship had ended, sources say his loss continues to weigh on her.

“Mac is her true love and is always going to be front and center [in her mind],” a former colleague of Grande shared. “She carries a lot of guilt from that, wondering if there was more she could have done to save him.”

The insider added that Grande has been through a series of deeply traumatic events, and keeping herself busy with work may be her way of coping. “She’s had some really traumatic things happen," they said. "She probably feels better just to work as much as possible.”