Ariana Grande, the celebrated pop star and actress, has always captured hearts with her powerhouse vocals and infectious energy. But beyond the bright lights of her performances and the public admiration she receives, Ariana has undergone a significant transformation in her personal life. In 2024, she made headlines for a dramatic weight loss, shedding a staggering 75 pounds, going from 180 lbs to 105 lbs. This transformation wasn’t just about looking different—it was a journey of reclaiming her health, rediscovering her confidence, and tackling challenges along the way.
While her new appearance raised eyebrows and sparked intense media scrutiny, it also led Ariana to share an important message with her fans: true transformation comes from within. So, what inspired this change? What did her weight loss journey look like behind the scenes? And what can we all learn from Ariana’s incredible story?
A Wake-Up Call: The Journey Begins
For Ariana, the decision to begin her weight loss journey was not a sudden one. In a candid Instagram post, Ariana shared that her decision wasn’t driven by the pressure of societal standards or the criticism she faced about her changing body. Instead, it was about feeling better, both physically and mentally. “I wanted to feel stronger and healthier,” Ariana explained. “It wasn’t about fitting into a certain mold or pleasing anyone else—it was about pleasing myself, inside and out.”
It’s easy to imagine the weight of constant public scrutiny, especially for someone in the spotlight as much as Ariana. Despite her fame and success, Ariana had been quietly struggling with her health and personal well-being. Over time, she realized that she was no longer in the state of health she desired. At 180 lbs, she felt sluggish, tired, and not as confident as she wanted to be. The wake-up call came when Ariana decided that it was time to prioritize herself.
“I wasn’t where I wanted to be physically or emotionally,” she confessed. “I wasn’t feeling as strong as I knew I could be. I had to change that for myself. I had to show up for me.”
The Emotional Struggles Behind the Scenes
As a public figure, Ariana’s weight loss journey wasn’t just a personal challenge—it was also an emotional rollercoaster. The weight loss became a topic of constant media scrutiny, with tabloids and social media bombarding her with judgments, both positive and negative. While some fans were supportive of her transformation, others expressed concern about her drastic weight loss. Some even speculated that her weight loss was linked to illness or external pressures.
“I get it,” Ariana said in an emotional interview. “The world sees you one way, and when you change, they have questions. But for me, it was important to explain that this transformation wasn’t because of some fad diet or quick fix. It was a lifestyle change that I worked hard for.”
It wasn’t easy for Ariana to open up about the personal toll this journey had taken on her. The pressure to conform to expectations and the emotional weight of criticism was something she had to grapple with constantly. In interviews, she spoke candidly about her struggles with body image and how learning to embrace her body—at every size and shape—was an ongoing process.
“It was never about how others saw me,” Ariana reflected. “It was about how I saw myself. And that’s where the real change came from.”
The Transformation Process: How Ariana Lost 75 Pounds
Ariana’s weight loss wasn’t achieved overnight, nor was it through extreme methods. It was a gradual, steady process that focused on health over aesthetics. While the specifics of her diet and workout routine weren’t publicly detailed, reports reveal that Ariana’s transformation involved a combination of mindful eating, regular exercise, and mental health work. Let’s take a closer look at each of these key areas.
1. Mindful Eating: Choosing Nutrient-Dense Foods
One of the first steps Ariana took in her weight loss journey was changing her eating habits. Ariana, who has always been vocal about her love for veganism, leaned into this lifestyle, focusing on whole foods that provided the right nutrients to fuel her body. She embraced a plant-based diet, full of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, which contributed to her energy levels while also aiding in weight loss.
“Eating mindfully was huge for me,” she said. “I didn’t want to just cut out certain foods or restrict myself. I wanted to feel energized and full of life, and that comes from nourishing your body, not punishing it.”
Instead of focusing on calorie-counting or deprivation, Ariana embraced a balanced approach. She made sure that her meals were not only nutritious but also enjoyable. The focus was on eating intuitively—listening to her body’s needs and fueling it with what it truly craved.
2. Exercise: A Balanced Fitness Routine
Exercise played a significant role in Ariana’s weight loss, but she also approached it with balance. “I started with simple things,” she explained. “Walking, yoga, and light strength training. Over time, I incorporated more challenging routines, but it was always about what felt right for me.”
While Ariana didn’t engage in extreme workouts, she found joy in physical activities that connected her mind and body. Pilates and yoga became her go-to routines, allowing her to build strength, flexibility, and focus without putting excessive stress on her body. Along with these practices, she began running and lifting light weights to improve her overall fitness and tone her muscles.
“I wanted to feel strong, not just thinner,” Ariana added. “Strength is important to me. It’s not just about how I look—it’s about how I feel when I’m moving, when I’m dancing, and when I’m doing the things I love.”
3. Mental Health: Embracing Self-Love
Arguably the most important aspect of Ariana’s transformation was the emphasis she placed on her mental health. Along with her physical changes, Ariana worked hard on shifting her mindset and embracing self-love. She was open about her struggles with anxiety, depression, and body image issues, and how these challenges influenced her relationship with food and her body.
“I realized that my mental health was just as important as my physical health,” she shared. “I had to rewire the way I saw myself. It wasn’t just about fitting into a certain size; it was about feeling empowered and confident in my own skin, no matter what the scale says.”
To achieve this, Ariana incorporated therapy, meditation, and journaling into her daily routine. These practices allowed her to reflect on her journey, manage stress, and stay grounded as she faced challenges both personally and professionally. “You can’t change the way you look until you start changing the way you think,” Ariana noted. “It’s a process, and it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.”
The Controversy and Public Scrutiny
With any public figure, weight loss can become a point of contention, and Ariana was no exception. Her significant weight loss prompted concern among fans, with some questioning whether her transformation was healthy or if it was a result of external pressures. Ariana responded with grace, addressing her critics directly in interviews and on social media.
“I understand why people are concerned,” Ariana said. “But I want to remind everyone that my body is mine. I am healthy, and I am happy. The most important thing is that I’m doing this for myself, not for anyone else’s approval.”
In her social media posts, Ariana emphasized that her body had gone through different stages throughout her life and that each stage was valid. “The body you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body,” she explained. “I wasn’t taking care of myself. But now, I’m taking care of my mental health, my body, and my happiness.”
A Journey of Empowerment and Self-Love
Ariana Grande’s weight loss journey is more than just about shedding pounds—it’s about a deeper, more empowering transformation. Through her journey, Ariana has learned to prioritize health, mental well-being, and self-love over societal expectations or external pressure.
Her transformation shows that weight loss doesn’t have to be about extremes or sacrifice—it can be about making mindful choices, embracing balance, and committing to the long-term process of self-care.
“I am stronger than I’ve ever been, and I’m not just talking about my body,” Ariana reflected. “This journey wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it. It’s about learning to love yourself and being the healthiest, happiest version of yourself, inside and out.”
For Ariana, this journey is ongoing—one of continuous growth, self-love, and embracing all that she is. Her story is a powerful reminder that true transformation comes from within, and that we all deserve to feel confident, healthy, and happy in our own bodies.
