Ariana Grande is calling for stronger mental health support in the entertainment industry, urging studios and record labels to make therapy services a mandatory part of contracts for young stars. During an interview on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, the Grammy-winning artist and Oscar-nominated actress opened up about her own struggles with fame, online criticism, and the immense pressures placed on young artists. She emphasized how the industry often neglects the emotional well-being of rising talent, leaving them to cope with fame-related stress on their own.
Having been in the spotlight since her teenage years, Grande reflected on the toll that fame took on her mental health, especially in dealing with public scrutiny regarding her body, relationships, and personal life. She shared how relentless media attention and social media speculation began affecting her at just 19 years old, making it clear that young entertainers should not have to navigate such challenges alone. Grande strongly advocated for record labels, film studios, and TV networks to include mandatory therapy sessions in contracts, ensuring that artists receive the emotional and psychological support they need.
“It’s so important that these record labels, these studios, these TV studios, these big production companies make it a part of the contract when you sign on to do something that’s going to change your life in that way,” she stated. “You need a therapist to be seeing several times a week.” She further explained that while artists pour their emotions into their work, the very nature of their vulnerability makes them more susceptible to the negative aspects of fame.
Grande has previously discussed the struggles of young performers, particularly in her experience on Victorious. She revealed that during her time on the Nickelodeon show, she dealt with inappropriate and overly sexualized content, which only added to the pressure she faced at an early age. She admitted that she is still “reprocessing” those experiences today, highlighting the long-term effects of growing up in the entertainment industry without proper support.
Her call for industry-wide mental health policies comes at a time when more celebrities are speaking out about the toll of fame on their well-being. With increasing awareness around mental health, Grande’s advocacy could help shift the conversation and encourage entertainment companies to prioritize emotional support for young stars entering the industry.
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