LA Music Review | Art, stories and advice
Honest, shocking and disturbing!
I finally watched Ariana Grande‘s newest single, “Petal,” and honestly, I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see.
The very first thing I noticed wasn’t even the story, it was Ariana herself. She looked incredibly thin, to the point that she appeared almost skin and bones. My heart immediately sank. More than anything, I genuinely hope she’s surrounded by people who care for her and that, if she needs support, she’s able to receive the medical care and guidance that’s best for her.
It’s difficult to watch someone you’ve admired for years look so physically different, especially when so many fans are expressing the same concern. Ariana has previously shared that people shouldn’t assume someone’s health based on appearance alone, explaining that a body many considered her “healthy” look was actually one of the most unhealthy periods of her life. Even so, her recent appearance has once again sparked widespread concern among fans and the media.
The music video follows her character, Pepper, an aspiring actress who repeatedly auditions only to be rejected. Each rejection chips away at her confidence until, on one of her final auditions, she’s told something that probably hurts the most: they “miss the old her” and that she’s become “inauthentic.” That moment seems to push her over the edge, leading to an extremely graphic and disturbing sequence.
But how much criticism can one person take before it starts changing how they see themselves?
I understand that the violence in the video is symbolic. It seems to represent bottled-up anger, rejection, and the pressure of constantly being judged. Ariana herself described the Petal album as an exploration of breaking free from negative voices, both internal and external, and expressing emotions she had previously been “too shy” to show.
Still… I just couldn’t handle it.
I actually skipped some scenes because they were simply too gory for me. I was genuinely surprised that a music video with those visuals is allowed on platforms like YouTube. I found myself feeling disturbed rather than emotionally connected. Instead of leaving inspired, I finished the video feeling uneasy.
Is this really the kind of message that should be reaching millions of young fans who look up to one of pop music’s biggest stars?
To me, Petal feels like Ariana fighting for the person she has become today while asking everyone to stop comparing her to the “old Ariana.” Through this song and its visuals, she seems to be saying, “This is who I am now. Please understand me.” I truly want to understand where she’s coming from. I believe music is often the safest place for artists to express emotions they can’t always put into words.
But understanding an artist doesn’t necessarily mean agreeing with every creative decision they make.
Personally, I don’t like how she portrays herself in this era. As someone with millions of young followers, I believe there’s also a responsibility that comes with creating content. Artistic freedom is important, but so is considering the impact your work may have on impressionable audiences.
Ironically, one of my favorite Ariana Grande songs remains “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).” That song felt vulnerable without needing shock value. It beautifully captured the pain of distance, misunderstanding, and learning to let someone go while still wishing them well. The emotions felt honest, heartfelt, and deeply human. It reminded me why I fell in love with Ariana’s music in the first place, not because it was loud or controversial, but because it connected with people through sincerity.
Maybe that’s why Petal surprised me so much. I wasn’t expecting to be left feeling alarmed more than moved.
I sincerely hope Ariana Grande is doing well. Behind the headlines, the criticism, and the artistic statements is still a human being who deserves compassion. At the same time, I hope future projects can continue telling powerful stories without relying so heavily on graphic imagery. Her voice has always been one of her greatest strengths. Personally, I believe it has always been powerful enough to tell her story on its own.
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