Bill Maher's joke about Ariana Grande sparks online backlash: "This is bullying"
American host Bill Maher sparked controversy after joking about Ariana Grande's weight on his weekly show. While the studio audience's reaction was mixed, social media users quickly condemned the comments as "bullying," with many comparing the incident to past insensitive jokes made about the late Chadwick Boseman.
Ariana Grande's weight has been grabbing headlines lately, and after she announced a break from the public eye, many linked the two events—until Grande clarified that she had planned the hiatus long ago. Regardless, the story became fodder for late-night comedy: host Bill Maher joked about the star's weight on his show Real Time this past Friday, receiving a lukewarm response from the studio audience.
"I hope the aliens are here, really. I hope they are here, watching us and going to save us," Maher said in his opening monologue. "And by the way, the administration this week released a new collection of UFO files. Interesting things there. Triangular aircraft, strange lights over a military base, a stick-like figure with big eyes. Oh, that was just an Ariana Grande clip."
The joke was initially met with laughter, but Maher doubled down: "Please, we're joking. Joking. Maybe this joke will make her eat something." This time, the audience's reaction was noticeably less enthusiastic.
On social media, where the clip was shared, the jab was widely panned. "It's not funny, it's bullying," one user wrote. Another called Maher a "brain-dead idiot," adding, "Don't talk about people's bodies or issues they may be experiencing; it just makes everything worse." Another user questioned the intent: "If people really find this idiotic joke funny, they are just continuing to fuel the controversy so people like that can profit from a woman's body."
One user compared the situation to that of the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer at 43: "Not a fan of the Ariana Grande jokes. That's how people joked about Chadwick Boseman until they realized they shouldn't have."
Last week, a representative for Grande announced that she plans to step back from the public eye after finishing her Eternal Sunshine tour. According to the rep, the move is a response to ongoing public scrutiny. "She looks forward to finishing the tour and closing it on a positive, healthy, and happy note, and then taking a well-deserved break from work and public performances, which have led to endless and ongoing public scrutiny," the representative stated.
A day later, Grande addressed the decision directly: "Sometimes when a story is published that doesn't come directly from me, things can get a little out of proportion. So I just wanted to speak directly to my fans tonight, because I love you so much," she told her audience. "The message that was published yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It's something I decided to plan, a decision I made quietly a long time ago, and it's a decision that was made from a calculated and empowered place."
