‘Wicked’ Recap: All About Oz
“Wicked: For Good” is finally here. Part 1 of “Wicked” ends here.
The long-awaited Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21st, and the internet is abuzz not only with its musical numbers and unexpected story moments, but also with in-depth discussions about the cast’s bodies. Online commentators have taken note of the looks of Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Michelle Yeoh, with fans making assumptions about their health based on their thin appearance.
Grande, Erivo, and Yoh aren’t the only three to have faced this kind of scrutiny, but as three of this year’s most high-profile stars, this conversation begs the question: When is it okay to comment on a public figure’s body?
Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director for the Eating Recovery Center, previously told USA TODAY that commenting on someone’s weight reinforces the belief that appearance is most important to that person.
“These comments about whether your body is acceptable or not, re-emphasizes that you are not worth more than your body…and that you need to present yourself a certain way in order for the world to accept you,” she said. “It just reinforces that kind of superficial, body-focused thinking that we know is very painful and harmful to each of us, because we are more than this vessel that carries us.”
Wassenaar added that comments about someone’s body don’t just affect them. They affect “everyone living inside the body.”
Another problem with commenting on someone’s appearance is that you don’t know their situation, Chelsea Kronengold, former communications director for the National Eating Disorders Association, previously told USA TODAY. The Mayo Clinic lists a myriad of potential causes of weight loss, including physical illnesses as well as mental health issues such as eating disorders.
Grande, along with Erivo, responded to the backlash in an interview on December 5, 2024, telling French YouTuber Sally that it was “hard to protect yourself from that noise” and that she has felt like a “specimen in a petri dish” since she came into the spotlight as a teenager.
“I think it’s unpleasant no matter what scale you’re experiencing it,” Grande said. “Even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and someone’s grandma says, ‘Oh my god, you look like you’ve lost more weight, what’s wrong with you?'” or, “You look like you’ve gained weight, what’s wrong with you?” That’s unpleasant and scary no matter where it’s happening. ”
Increased thinness, GLP-1, undetectable surgery
The “evil” discourse comes amid a major shift in the way Americans discuss how to lose weight. Many Gen Z fans of “Wicked” witnessed the rise and fall of the body positivity era. Since the mid-2010s, size-inclusive waves have become mainstream. Brands like Sports Illustrated Swimsuits, Dove, and Victoria’s Secret started showcasing more diverse bodies, while hashtags like #EffYourBeautyStandards and #BodyPositivity encouraged people to post their imperfections like cellulite and stretch marks on social media.
For some young people, seeing thinness become prominent again in Hollywood seems to suggest that these days are over. With rapid weight loss driven by GLP-1 and the rise of the “undetectable era” of plastic surgery, the fat acceptance debate has receded. Cultural markers of thinness continue, such as the growing popularity of Pilates and the resurgence of low-rise jeans in the 2000s.
Stars like Meghan Trainor, Oprah Winfrey, and Chrissy Teigen have been open about their use of weight loss drugs. The same goes for visible athletes like Serena Williams. Additionally, body positive influencers like Remi Bader share with their viewers that they have undergone weight loss surgery.
“The desire to be healthier and engage in wellness is returning to the public profession for a while,” Lizzie Pope, an associate professor at the University of Vermont whose research focuses on how diet culture manifests in popular culture and social media, previously told USA TODAY. “What I’m seeing is that the language is becoming accepted again.”
How parents can talk to their kids about ‘Wicked’ from a body image perspective
The quest for the “perfect body” is nothing new. Fundamentally, body trends suggest that women need to look a certain way in order to feel accepted.
“When we treat our bodies as clothing that we pick up and take down, we ignore the fact that bodies are different from clothing,” UCLA sociology professor Abigail Sagay previously told USA TODAY. “You can’t abandon your body and change it, and you shouldn’t try to,” she says. “It’s very dangerous to suggest to women, especially young girls, that their bodies should conform to trends in some way or that there’s a right and wrong way to look.”
As a public figure, the “Wicked” star’s body will naturally attract more attention. But creating TikTok compilations and photo edits that directly compare before and after bodies, and then using that situation to chase views and likes online, is insensitive and harmful.
Grande, Erivo, and Yeoh may not see all posts about them. But for impressionable young children on social media, and for those already struggling with poor eating habits, seeing women described as “haggard” or “boned” can have the opposite effect and unintentionally legitimize harmful behavior.
Parents are wondering how to talk to young viewers about all of this, and there’s no perfect answer. Fans and critics alike will never truly understand what these stars are going through, and should avoid making wild guesses about the health status of Grande, Erivo, and Yoh. But ignoring the question completely is also not the answer.
Regarding social media content on TikTok, Pope warned that content glorifying thinness will be replicated on other platforms as long as thinness is seen as a marker of social status and health. This extends to Hollywood as well. She advises parents of teens to be proactive about the topic of diet and create a home environment that fosters strong values beyond physical appearance.
Experts say it’s important to start conversations about healthy body image early. In “Wicked,” part of that conversation might mean redirecting comments about the actors’ bodies to talking about the movie itself, while also emphasizing what everyday health looks like.
The aim is not to avoid these topics, but to help young people understand that their bodies are not trends and their worth is not determined by the comments of others.
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, the National Eating Disorders Association’s toll-free and confidential helpline is available by phone or text (1-800-931-2237) or click-to-chat message. Nationaleatingdisorders.org/Helpline. For 24/7 crisis information, text “NEDA” to 741-741.Charles Trepany, Jenna Liu, Sarah Moniuszko Contributed to the report.
Rachel Hale’s role covering youth mental health for USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Contact her at rhale@usatoday.com. @rachleighhale With X.
