As the promotional run for Wicked: For Good concluded following its release last November, clips from Ariana Grande’s interview with film critic Erik Davis have begun circulating online again — this time attracting criticism rather than praise.
The interview, shared in short segments across social media as part of the film’s marketing campaign, has reignited intense online debate about the pop star’s demeanor and body language.
One particular clip drew the attention of the subreddit r/ArianaGrandeSnark, a forum known for closely analyzing and often criticizing the 32-year-old singer. Users there quickly spun theories about what they described as Grande’s “creepy” or overly exaggerated mannerisms.
“She looks extremely uncomfortable, like she could have a panic attack at any moment,” one commenter wrote.
Interview details resurface
In January 2026, Davis — a prominent American film journalist affiliated with Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes — shared highlights from his conversation with Grande on Threads and Instagram. The exact date the interview was recorded remains unknown, as no full-length version has been released. Davis confirmed this in response to a fan’s comment online.
The discussion covered Wicked: For Good, Grande’s emotional preparation for her role as Glinda, and broader reflections on creativity, discipline, and personal growth.
During one segment, Grande spoke about staying grounded as an artist.
“Just bury yourself in the craft,” she said. “Don’t let anything pull you away from what you love about doing this.”
She added, “Support and keep coming back to your craft.”
Davis praised her perspective, responding, “That’s great. I think as artists and creatives, we need two things: someone who believes in us — and then we need to believe in ourselves.”
He went on to tell Grande that she appeared to have both, prompting an emotional reaction from the singer. Visibly moved, she placed her hand on her chest and replied, “Whoa, you got me. Yeah, that’s so important.”
Online backlash intensifies
The moment quickly became a focal point for criticism after the clip was reposted to r/ArianaGrandeSnark. The post was captioned with a remark describing the video as unsettling, pointing to Grande’s facial expressions and eye movements as feeling “off” or unnatural.
Several users fixated on a brief moment in which Grande rapidly blinked while biting her lower lip — gestures they interpreted as forced or exaggerated.
“The lip biting paired with the constant blinking is so distracting,” one user commented. “She looks completely forced.”
Another wrote, “It’s like someone trying to imitate human behavior and missing the mark.”
Others suggested she was struggling to hold back tears, while some speculated more harshly about possible underlying causes for her behavior — including unfounded claims about substances or cosmetic procedures.
LA POPSTAR pic.twitter.com/o9VjZqqGfW
— lidia (@DARVRI) January 17, 2026
Growing concern over appearance
Beyond the interview itself, the clip reignited broader conversations about Grande’s recent public appearances. Some fans expressed concern over what they described as her increasingly fragile or frail look, a topic that has followed her through multiple red carpet events in recent months.
Others criticized her makeup and styling during the interview, reviving online chatter about alleged cosmetic work.
The renewed backlash followed Grande’s appearance at the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, where she wore a custom black Vivienne Westwood gown that once again sparked debate over her physique.
While opinions remain sharply divided, the viral discussion highlights how intensely Grande continues to be scrutinized — with even brief interview moments becoming fuel for widespread speculation and controversy.
