The Danger of Emulation; Ariana Grande and Audrey Hepburn

TRIGGER WARNIG: Please be mindful that this post will discuss health related concerns revolving around Ariana Grande via online speculation. As well as discuss historical details surrounding the late actress Audrey Hepburn, and her experiences with starvation during the second World War. While this post is meant to discuss the dangers of emulation, these details are being brought up as relevant points during this discussion. I ask that you ensure you are comfortable enough to read on these topics for your own mental health and safety. Thank you.

In the year 2026, Ariana Grande, a world-renowned singer, arguably one of the best of the generation, has kicked off her Eternal Sunshine tour. What was a stark beginning to her tour, the first show in L.A has sparked a tsunami-sized wave of internet concern for Ariana. Who some say has become “dangerously thin,” and has proceeded to diagnose what could be wrong with the famous singer. Well, nobody has mentioned this detail in the Grande sensation, one that I feel may contribute to why fans are so concerned for Ariana Grande and her health. And it orbits one of my personal idols, Audrey Hepburn.

Here is my timeline. Around a year ago, in 2025, Wicked and Wicked: For Good took over the world. At its center was Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba the Wicked Witch, and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good. All eyes were on Grande at the time because she had been known for loving Wicked on Broadway, and had repeatedly spoken about how she dreamed of performing in it one day. Lo and behold, Ariana Grande was announced as Glinda in 2022.

When the movies were finally released in 2024 and 2025, the world became enamored. Paired with public adoration, the leading stars Grande and Erivo trekked along on 2 separate world tours, filled with premiere after premiere, interview after interview, and red carpets to boot. Behind the scenes of Grande’s audition would go on to be posted on Wicked’s promotional content online. This is around the time Ariana Grande went blonde, and with it, is when comparisons to Audrey Hepburn began on social media. I added some reference posts I’ve seen as evidence of this sudden online barrage.

You find that there are TikToks blowing up featuring a sort of emphasis that Audrey and Ariana Grande are connected through the year 1993. This is when Audrey passed from her terminal diagnosis, and Ariana was born. It should also be mentioned that people online began to point out that Ariana had entered yet another “era.” A recurring pattern of changing styles and personalities, which she has become famous for. Known to switch manner of dress, slang, and accent, as well as levels of self-tan. With fans lovingly naming each era things such as “Africana Grande,” “Arigato Grande,” “Italiana Grande,” and even “Cat Valentine” (her character from the Nickelodeon show Victorious). This concept of changing so drastically and Ariana Grande’s habit of it we will be revisiting later on in this discussion.

As the comparisons grew privately online, you’ll notice mentions of Lily Collins. An actress who has been compared to Audrey Hepburn for over ten years. Even emulating her in her own ways, both in projects such as the television series Emily in Paris, and marketing campaigns where her resemblance to the Hollywood star was emphasized. Now in the year 2026, it has finally been announced that Lily Collins has been cast to portray Audrey Hepburn in a biographical film focusing on the behind-the-scenes of the infamous film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Over a decade after her similarity with Hepburn had begun to catch fire on social media. Causing online commentary to point out that Ariana Grande’s efforts to “look like” Hepburn were thwarted. Some fans of the singer voiced criticism that Ariana should have been the one to portray Audrey, as they felt Ariana looks more like the actress. This criticism comes especially after a video of a red carpet interview with Ariana Grande from January 2025 during the Wicked: For Good press tour, where the singer was being asked if she’d ever want to play Audrey Hepburn in an acting project. To which she responded to the Entertainment Tonight interviewer:

“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! … That would have to be done so well and so perfectly and have to be- I don’t know, no way that I could-” She was then cut off when the interviewer said “You could, sis!” which Grande responded to with “That’s very kind.”

Later that night, Ariana would be interviewed by another reporter from Access Hollywood, who once again brought up Audrey Hepburn and her fashion influences on the singer. Ariana replying:

“I’ve always loved old Hollywood glamour… Like, Marilyn and Audrey have always been my …my references…”

The interviewer then asked Ariana if she’d ever play Audrey in a biopic. To which Ariana Grande reacted with:

“Oh my goodness… Why is everyone asking me this? You’re insane, You’re insane, You’re insane!… I love you,” before being whisked away down the red carpet once more. At first, it could be deduced that Grande was just confused as to why people had been so forward at random about Audrey Hepburn. Yet that “I love you” as she slipped away from the interviewer conveys a different intent. In basic wording, Ariana Grande would love to play Audrey, and she’s thankful the interviewer had said she “could totally” play Hepburn in a project. It was a small way to thank and emphasize what the interviewer had been saying. A subtle nod to the fact that Grande is actively working on getting traction on the idea of her being cast in a Hepburn role. It was not just the wording used, but the manner in which she said it, which was a quieter, quicker comment as she began to depart. As if to be playfully sneaky in her confirmation of the new role Grande aspires to have.

Going back to the Wicked tour, this is when Ariana Grande donned the gamine bangs similarly worn by Audrey Hepburn. Which she paired with her already growing appearances in recognizably ‘Hepburn’ styles and silhouettes. Obviously, this is when the comparisons were at an all-time high within the media. Which is why interviewers had brought it up to Grande in the first place while on red carpets. And if you naysayers don’t believe me, below are comparisons I’ve personally connected from the Wicked press tours to Audrey’s wardrobe.

It should be noted that during this press tour, concerns grew over Ariana Grande’s appearance. Which online opinion would voice began to look unhealthy and/or frail. This, paired with the judgment that was placed on Wicked’s leads, Grande and Erivo, who faced criticism over their bond during interviews, which seemed odd or off-putting. I will later explain why the comparisons Ariana Grande received to Audrey Hepburn during this specific time are relevant to my growing perspective on this whole ordeal and how it factors into these comments from the public.

So, what happened after Wicked?

Now, this is the point in the timeline where, in May 2026, Ariana Grande released the first song from her new album Petal. This is after the Wicked movie’s press tours have finally ended. Leaving a gap in when we’ve last seen Grande in the public eye. As I mentioned a little bit ago, I pointed out how concern was growing for Ariana’s physical health. And it did not end once Wicked’s promotional run was ended.

This all comes to a head on June 6, 2026, at Ariana Grande’s return to the stage for The Eternal Sunshine tour. Where fans at the show, and viewers who had seen images and videos online, were shocked at Ariana Grande’s physical appearance. Which had changed yet again to become more frail. In another examples of emulation, two of Grande’s performance looks were created by Givenchy, a brand that exclusively dressed Audrey Hepburn throughout her career. Fans who previously may have defended Grande were suddenly opposing the current state of Grande’s health. With others harping on those who had defended Grande by asking things like “Oh, now it’s bad?” Some fans continue to defend Grande’s current appearance, arguing that people have no right to comment on others' bodies, and that Grande is healthy despite the ongoing concern as she had said on a video posted in 2023.

Now, I will not be going into detail about Ariana Grande’s health. As I am not a medical professional, nor am I a personal associate of hers. There is no way for me to accurately scope the severity, lack thereof, or misunderstanding that may be happening with Grande and her current physical appearance and/or health. However, this is where my intersection with Ariana Grande and Audrey Hepburn begins to unfold. And how emulation and comparison can be as dangerous as it is flattering.

Audrey Hepburn, born Audrey Kathleen Ruston, was born in 1929 in Belgium. Living comfortably until her childhood was halted by the

Second

World War. In which Hepburn was a prisoner of an occupied territory in the Netherlands. Being made to starve from the limited rations and evade Nazi cruelties. Rendering her malnourished. Despite these struggles to survive, Hepburn would perform dance recitals to raise funds for the resistance. Her performances ended with a silent room as the crowd could not clap for fear of being discovered. This malnutrition and emaciation permanently affected Hepburn for the rest of her life. When the British successfully liberated Hepburn’s town of Velp, she wept when a soldier handed her a chocolate bar.

When she and her mother moved, Audrey’s career in dance and acting began to flourish. Becoming the household name we know and love today. What set Hepburn apart from her acting counterparts was her figure and demeanor. This became coined as Gamine, a term now used for slim, petite women who have a “boyish” charm. This public perspective was largely bestowed upon her from her small stature and frame. The same one shaped from her survival during World War 2.

What’s the point of all of this?

I’m not here to simply point at Ariana Grande and yell out what I notice. However, I do believe there’s something to be mindful of. And that is a danger with emulation and comparison. How suddenly Ariana Grande has become physically compared to Audrey Hepburn. Someone who gained their physicality from being starved at a young age. One does not simply wake up to share these physical attributes with someone such as Hepburn without something going on. It very well could be that the ongoing comparison of Hepburn and Grande is creating more harm than flattery.

The ongoing emulation of Audrey Hepburn could very well be yet another “era” for Ariana Grande. With traits, style, manner of speaking, and of course physical appearance contributing to what online speculation has raised concerns about. Now, I am someone who loves Audrey, who has framed photos of her and reads her biographies and seen all her films, I too can understand the allure of what made Hepburn so charismatic.

Yet, I sit here an say that I’ve taken emulation too far. To a point where I’ve retreated into this shell of whoever I had become enamored with. In my closet right now hangs a Givenchy skirt that is too small because I wanted to own Givenchy pieces like Audrey Hepburn. We have to be mindful that mental health is singular to each person, and we will never know for certain what might be happening behind closed doors. There must always be awareness that perhaps this “healing” that arianators declare for Ariana, is not wholly finished. Because healing is not linear. With this emulation and public adoration of Audrey, Ariana may have simply adopted another era for herself. One that may have been taken to levels that impact her and her health. To the point where audiences can see something is changing with Ariana Grande, which cause concerns that it might not be for the better.

The point of my article is that I believe the ongoing comparison, and emulation between Grande and Hepburn is not random. It connects to whatever may be happening with Ariana Grande and the ongoing concern online. Which is a connection I have not yet seen in the comments of posts discussing this. Whether this emulation is worsening the situation or remains completely disconnected will remain a mystery to us. However, I believe that Ariana Grande’s new Hepburn “era” leading into her Eternal Sunshine tour cannot be overlooked as a contributor to the worry that online fans have been expressing.

We can only hope that Ariana Grande is happy and healthy while kicking off her tour. And any issues that may be private are resolved so that she may enter a new “era” of true healing.