XXI.

This discourse always seemed so silly to me. Where did these rumors start? Did she like MAGA ideology on Instagram or something? She's a non-American, heavily sexualized pop star with a massive gay following. The idea that conservatives would be championing her or she herself would be conservative always seemed pretty baseless...these aren't exactly the people lining up to embrace songs about getting laid in a sports car.

No, it is not.

It's very cunty.

Yes and no. The album would've been better without the interludes and random Drake song.

I don't have insights into any of what this person is saying, but I don't think what they are posting is entirely true. Tours are a massive production that take a lot of planning. If the tour starts September 1st. I would think that video content for the show was being filmed and produced in June or July, so I do think Sophia will be featured in it. They could've even shot a lot of it when they were shooting the EP creative. I would also imagine whatever visuals and music video is dropping on the day of EP release will also feature Sophia. I think Sophia's hiatus will impact the upcoming physical commitments.

It's probably closer to the top version, but not the exact same. Hootie Frootie is my favorite. If they are really doing VS this song gives runway.

These threads where people in the comments are taking jabs at the girls are insane to me. If you watch Pop Star Academy... which is already heavily edited... you can clearly see how poorly these girls were treated. Nikki, a grown woman, literally called a 17-year-old (Megan) boring right to her face, not to mention the grueling practices, injuries, and the way they were constantly pitted against one another from the very beginning. Every single person who has participated in Pop Star Academy has yet to say a single positive thing about it (including the current members). Just look at ADELA's discography, and now MARQUISE. The intensity, pressure, and demands have only increased for these girls. They are grinding them to the bone.

Can you link me I havent heard the demo

I don't think it's just about the fine. It's also a marketing tactic. People are tuning in to see the drama, what are the girls saying about the situation, are they all still friends, did she get kicked out, will she'll reappear, etc. To some degree it's advantageous to them and their brand to be ambiguous and keep people guessing because it keeps people interested and engaged. I miss Manon though. She deserves better than to be a marketing tactic.

The Hootie Frootie "demo" isn't real by the way lol.

Out of curiosity (I doubt we'll be getting a third single), but if we were which song would you all want to get a music video?

I think what's getting lost in this conversation is that people are treating it as if there are only two options: either you're bullying Ariana, or you're pretending nothing is wrong. Reality is a lot more nuanced than that. I don't think most people who expressed concern were rooting for her to disappear or demanding she be pulled from work. I think they were looking at someone they've watched for over a decade and saying, "I hope she's okay." That's a very human reaction. At the same time, I also think some people crossed a line. When concern turns into constant body commentary, speculation, or feeling entitled to updates on someone's health, it stops being concern and starts becoming another form of pressure. But here's where I disagree with the narrative that she's being "bullied into taking time away." Taking time away isn't a punishment. It's not an admission that the internet was right. And it certainly shouldn't be viewed as people "winning." Sometimes the healthiest thing anyone can do, celebrity or not, is step back from an environment that has become overwhelmingly loud. If her team genuinely believes the relentless scrutiny is affecting her well-being, then taking a break is a reasonable response. That doesn't mean every person who voiced concern is responsible for it, nor does it mean every comment made about her body was justified. The internet has a habit of collapsing every opinion into the loudest extremes. Genuine concern gets lumped in with harassment. Harassment gets defended as "just caring." Neither is helpful. The truth is, we don't know what's going on. We don't know if she's perfectly healthy. We don't know if she's struggling. We don't know if stepping away is about her health, the scrutiny, burnout, or simply wanting a break after an incredibly demanding year. What we do know is that someone can be exceptionally talented, fulfill every professional obligation, and still need help. High-functioning has never been the same thing as thriving. Hopefully, whatever this break looks like for Ariana, it's one where she's surrounded by people who care more about her as a person than as a headline.

Please don't call this "genius." This is exactly why so many people are concerned comments that glorify a body that appears visibly unhealthy can be harmful. There's nothing admirable about aspiring to look malnourished. Also, this isn't some one-off transformation for a photoshoot. We've seen her look like this in multiple candid photos and on red carpets over time, so it doesn't seem like she's doing anything different here. I know some people are criticizing her, but the conversation around her health isn't just that either.

The music video is really well done, and in reality should be a career highlight, but watching it makes me feel sad. There isn't a trace of fat on her body. I genuinely don't know what is happening but it's heartbreaking.

I think Ariana, out of all her peers (Miley, Demi, and Selena), has always seemed the most genuinely in love with making music and being in the studio. Even if she takes breaks or focuses on other passions, I think she'll always find her way back to music because that creative pull is such a big part of who she is. She may enjoy acting and building her beauty brand, but at the end of the day, she's most known for her voice and her music. From both an artistic and business standpoint, I just can't see her ever completely walking away from music.