A recent interview with Wicked star Ariana Grande brought to light the emotional toll of body shaming and the pressures of beauty standards. The star was visibly moved when asked how she copes with the constant scrutiny regarding her appearance. She fought back tears as she responded, highlighting the discomfort and danger of people feeling entitled to comment on others’ bodies. “There’s a comfortability that people have commenting on that, and I think it’s really dangerous for all parties involved. No one has the right to say,” Ariana expressed, emphasizing how hurtful these judgments can be.

This was not the first time Ariana has spoken out about body shaming. Last year, she took to TikTok to address the harmful comparisons made about her body. In a heartfelt video, she shared that the body people were comparing her current self to was actually the “unhealthiest version” of her body. She explained that she had been struggling with depression and was on medication, which led her to gain weight, a fact that she had to navigate while in the public eye. “I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them,” she admitted. Ariana also recalled the intense scrutiny she faced throughout her career, saying, “I’ve been a specimen in a Petri dish since I was 16 or 17, and I’ve heard it all—‘Oh my God, you look skinnier! What happened?’ or ‘You look heavier! What happened?’”

Ariana’s rise to fame began in 2011 with her breakout role in Victorious, the popular Nickelodeon series. Despite the pressure, Ariana remained focused on her craft and her personal growth, and now she is starring in the Broadway musical Wicked, with both the show and its soundtrack soaring to number one. Through all of this, Ariana has learned to tune out the negativity surrounding her. She reflected, “I’m really lucky to trust that I’m beautiful, and however you all can protect yourselves from that noise, you keep yourself safe.” Her words resonated deeply with fans, many of whom appreciated her candidness and strength.

Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie made her long-awaited return to the talk show circuit after a decade away. Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she made a memorable entrance, barefoot, after injuring her toe the day before. “I broke my toe yesterday,” the 49-year-old actress and mother of six revealed. “I tried to find a comfortable shoe, but by the way, I get very nervous on talk shows. This is so not my thing,” she added, showing her vulnerability in the face of her fears.

Jolie was on the show to promote her Oscar-buzzy film Maria, which streams on Netflix starting Wednesday. During the interview, she discussed the challenges of self-confidence and the line between healthy self-esteem and obsession. She remarked, “There’s a point where self-confidence becomes a kind of insanity.” Jolie also shared a glimpse into her family life, revealing that her children are involved behind the scenes of her work. Her eldest children, Maddox and Pax, have worked as production assistants on the set, and while some of her kids prefer to stay out of the public eye, Jolie mentioned that her daughter, Shiloh, has shown an interest in being on camera. In contrast, Maddox is pursuing a career as a pilot, a path he has already started training for.

Both Ariana and Angelina shared deeply personal moments, offering insights into the challenges of balancing fame, personal identity, and family life. Their reflections on body image, confidence, and the importance of staying true to oneself resonated strongly with their fans.