Jameela Jamil defends Ariana Grande comments and cites her own anorexia experience

Jameela Jamil has defended her comments about Ariana Grande’s appearance, citing her own experience with anorexia and arguing that concerns about celebrity beauty standards should not be dismissed.

The British actress faced criticism after suggesting Grande could be “possibly dying”. Jamil responded on Instagram, saying her comments were intended to highlight the potential impact of beauty ideals on young audiences rather than criticise Grande personally.

“I said possibly. My god. And my point stands, that this is deeply irresponsible for all the people involved to deliver this aesthetic as glamorous to the many billions of girls and women consuming this imagery.”

Jamil also discussed her own battle with anorexia, saying she nearly died from the eating disorder and that intervention from people around her helped her survive.

“I feel extremely bad for Ariana having almost died of anorexia myself. And it was only due to the people around me intervening INSENSITIVELY once I willfully ignored (and sort of enjoyed) their careful concern, that l survived.”

She acknowledged that she does not know Grande personally and expressed hope that the singer is well.

“I don't know Ariana and pray she recovers. I don't think she's in the comments sections of tiny posts, but young girls watching are, and we need to signal to THEM that this is not the time to pretend this is ok, just because 'we shouldn't talk about other people's bodies.'”

Jamil also referenced singer Karen Carpenter while arguing that society should challenge harmful beauty standards.

“We do not pretend then that it is not appropriate to comment on how thin they are. We don't have to pretend we are blind because it's a pop star. Everyone is killing her by normalizing this. Silence is complicity when it gets this far.”

Her comments come after Grande announced an indefinite break from public-facing work following her Eternal Sunshine tour.