Ariana Grande Faces Backlash Over “Intimate” Interaction with Co-Star Jonathan Bailey
A lighthearted cooking segment featuring Ariana Grande and her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey for the New York Times unexpectedly ignited a firestorm of online criticism. During the 18-minute video, the pair shared a warm, affectionate hug while making pizza, a moment intended to be playful but which was seized upon by critics to revive negative narratives surrounding the pop star.
The backlash largely centered on Grande’s personal life, particularly her relationship with Ethan Slater, another Wicked co-star. Their romance began while Slater was still legally married to his now-ex-wife, Lilly Jay, a situation that led a portion of the public to label Grande a “home wrecker.” Despite Jonathan Bailey being openly gay and having no romantic history with Grande, commenters ironically accused her of “cheating” on Slater with him and joked about her supposedly ruining “another married man’s life.”
A secondary wave of commentary involved Grande’s other co-star, Cynthia Erivo. Due to their notably close and protective dynamic during the Wicked press tour, some viewers humorously suggested Erivo would be “jealous” of the hug with Bailey, creating memes that depicted her as a disapproving guardian.
Beyond the relationship speculation, the segment also led to discussions about Grande’s well-being. Some observers commented on her body language, suggesting she seemed tense or emotionally drained. This aligns with recent concerns from fans about her mental and physical health, following her own admissions of exhaustion, the toll of filming Wicked, and her plans to take an indefinite break from music. The incident demonstrates how a simple, friendly interaction can be magnified into a catalyst for public scrutiny over an artist’s personal life, past controversies, and physical appearance.
