麻豆社

Ariana Grande says she will be taking 鈥榓 step back鈥� from public life. The reason, it seems, is the constant public commentary she faces 鈥� particularly surrounding her appearance.

In our conversations we bring together fans of the multi-award-winning singer and Oscar nominated actor to discuss the scrutiny facing women in the public eye.

鈥淚 received one comment that really messed with my brain,鈥� Rachel, a fan and singer tells us. 鈥淎nd that was just one comment, I can鈥檛 imagine how Ariana must have felt seeing all these comments from people claiming to be concerned.鈥�

We also hear from women who have received abuse after posting on social media, including Ella, a high jump athlete from Finland.

鈥淚 never imagined when I started doing sports as a little girl there would be a moment when I would receive messages that I should kill myself because I didn鈥檛 perform well or that I am the greatest embarrassment Finland has ever had.鈥�

(Photo: Ariana Grande at the Oscars. She looks sideways over her left shoulder at the camera. Her light brown hair is parted in the middle, styled into an up-do with a bun at the back. She wears a silver necklace, small round silver earrings, pink lipstick and dusky-pink eye shadow, with black eyeliner on her eyelid. Credit: Aude Guerrucci/Reuters)

Presenter: Andrew Peach
麻豆社 producer: Iqra Farooq
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editors: Arja Haikonen and Harriet Oliver
A Boffin Media production in partnership with the 麻豆社 World Service Outside Source team