Jameela Jamil at Center of Backlash Over Stark Ariana Grande Health Claim

Jameela Jamil has found herself at the center of a fierce backlash after claiming Ariana Grande is "possibly dying right in front of us" and criticizing the singer's team over her appearance.

OK! can reveal the 40-year-old The Good Place actress, who has spoken publicly about her own experience with disordered eating, made the comments on social media after the release of Grande's music video for "Petal."

Grande, 33, has repeatedly urged people not to speculate about her body, while her representatives recently announced she will step away from public-facing work after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour in London.

Jamil wrote online: "This poor woman is possibly dying right in front of us. This outfit is designed to accentuate the t---ness for discourse. Her team are thoroughly irresponsible for not guiding her away from this deeply damaging image for her young fans to see so glamourised."

The remarks prompted an immediate reaction online, with critics accusing Jamil of contributing to the very scrutiny of Grande's appearance that the singer has previously spoken against.

One social media user wrote: "How many times has Ariana said that comments about her body affect her deeply?? just accept her art and LET HER BE!"

Another said: "I think we SHOULD ALL STOP DISCUSSING HER BODY. We are not helping."

A third wrote: "She has never not once in her life minded her own d--- business."

Another critic said: "If Jameela genuinely has concerns about Ariana, then surely the responsible thing would be to raise them privately rather than making such an incredibly personal claim about her health in front of millions of people online. Ariana has spoken before about how upsetting and damaging it can be when strangers discuss her body, so publicly speculating about what she may or may not be going through seems completely counterproductive. Nobody outside Ariana's immediate circle knows the reality of her health or what conversations she may already be having privately. She has family, friends and people around her who actually know her, and making assumptions based purely on her appearance risks adding to the scrutiny she has repeatedly asked people to stop. Whatever Jameela's intentions were, there is a huge difference between expressing concern for somebody and publicly making an alarming statement about their health without knowing the full circumstances. Ariana should be allowed to decide for herself what, if anything, she wants the public to know."

Jamil subsequently returned to social media to defend her decision to speak out, saying she "prays that Ariana recovers."

There is no public confirmation Grande has the health problem suggested by Jamil.

The controversy comes as Grande prepares to temporarily retreat from public life following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

A spokesperson for the singer said: "Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny. This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much."

Grande's final London show is scheduled for September 1 at The O2.

She had subsequently been expected to appear opposite her Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey, 38, in a West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican Centre next summer.

Grande has now withdrawn from the production.

Empire Street Productions said: "Following this evening's announcement from Ariana Grande's team, Empire Street Productions can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course."