8 Ariana Grande Feminist Moments That'll Make You Say YASSS
She's a dangerous woman.
Ariana Grande recently released her third studio album, "Dangerous Woman." If the title doesn't imply it, the album is about Ari taking risks and owning her sexuality, all while exuding an air of mystery. It's her most badass album yet, and if it wasn't clear before, it is now that the former Nickelodeon star has become one of the biggest powerhouses in pop music. Along with the album's mix of tempo, handful of catchy pop tracks, and Ariana's fabulous vocals, there's also a certain truth to it—she's not afraid to break the rules and doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks.
In fact, Ariana is one of Hollywood's most outspoken stars. She's constantly sticking up for other women, slamming sexism and double standards while celebrating what makes each woman special. The singer is one of the best feminist role models out there, and she does so just being 100% herself.
To celebrate the awesome "Dangerous Woman," here are 8 of Ariana's best feminist moments.
1. She's not afraid to call out men for being sexist, like she did in an interview with Power 105
Yesss, girl.
When the interviewer asked her to choose between using her phone or makeup one last time, Ari put the sexist interviewer in his place: "Is this what you think girls have trouble choosing between? Is this men assuming that that's what girls would have to choose between? You need a little brushing up on equality over here."
2. She's stood up for Kesha amid her legal battle with Dr. Luke
Ariana not only tweeted her support to Kesha after the court decided the "Tik Tok" singer was to stay in her contract with alleged abuser Dr. Luke, but she also expressed her disgust in an interview, when she said that a male artist would never be in this position.
"The incredible double standards that we [women] face on a daily basis, in the industry and just in the world, it's shocking," she said. "I would be so amused — and pardon me if this comes across as sexist — but I don't think a male artist would be in this position right now. Sorry. ... And my fellow women are definitely something that I will always be one of the first to speak up about."
3. She doesn't put up with the sexual double standards women face
When rumors swirled in 2015 that Ariana was dating Niall Horan after they were spotted hanging out, Ari shut them down with an essay she posted to Twitter. She pointed out that it's impossible for a girl to be friends with a guy without assumption that they're sleeping together. Here are some stellar standout lines:
—"If a woman even TALKS about sex openly, she is shamed! But if a man talks or RAPS freely about all the women (or more commonly used bitches / hoes, how lovely) he's had he is regaled."
—"If a woman is seen with a friend with a penis, there is an immediate assumption of romance or sex and she is labeled!!! If a man is seen with a woman his status is elevated, celebrated. AWW SHIIIIT HE SMASHED!!!1!!1!."
*Snaps*
4. She's not here for body shamers, and reminds us that all body types are beautiful
Ariana caught wind of a Twitter user who compared her body to Ariel Winter's saying "curves are sexy sticks aren't." Ari fired back with an epic response to body shaming and pitting women against each other. "Celebrate yourself. Celebrate others. The things that make us different from one another make us beautiful," she wrote.
Now THAT'S a way to handle body shamers.
5. She doesn't believe in the media promoting sexism
Looks like Ari got her feminist spirit from her mama. Her mom posted a side by side picture of women's interest and men's interest sections at a magazine stand. Magazines under "women's interest" were gossip and fashion magazines (of course), while "men's interest" were magazines about business and science. Welp, the Grande ladies were not happy about this.
6. She again slammed sexist double standards by saying that she plans to have her "tits out at Whole Foods" when she's 95
In her recent interview with Billboard, Ari expressed disgust about the media fawning over Justin Bieber and Zayn Malik for showing skin, because when a woman does so, they're instead scolded. (Just think of when Kim posted that infamous nude selfie on Twitter.)
"If you're going to rave about how sexy a male artist looks with his shirt off, and a woman decides to get in her panties or show her boobies for a photo shoot, she needs to be treated with the same awe and admiration," she said. "I will say it until I'm an old-ass lady with my tits out at Whole Foods. I'll be in the produce aisle, naked at 95, with a sensible ponytail, one strand of hair left on my head and a Chanel bow. Mark my words. See you there with my 95 dogs."
*Drops the mic*
7. She doesn't believe a woman's worth should be attached to the man they are dating
Ariana has spoken out about how she hated being called Big Sean's ex, but she also defended another pop star with a famous ex—Selena Gomez. She wouldn't name names because she "hates drama" but it was pretty clear she was referring to the Selena/Justin Bieber romance.
"I'll never be able to swallow the fact that people feel the need to attach a successful woman to a man when they say her name," she said. "I saw a headline draw your own conclusions [on the subjects] because it'll be so much drama that I don't want—they called someone another someone's ex, and that pissed me off. This person has had so many great records in the last year, and she hasn't been dating him forever. Call her by her name!"
8. When she explained her alter ego "Super Bunny" empowers her and her sexuality
For months, we've seen Ari wearing a latex bunny mask and didn't quite understand, until she explained its roots to Billboard:
"The Super Bunny is my superhero, or supervillain—whatever I'm feeling on the day. Whenever I doubt myself or question choices I know in my gut are right — because other people are telling me other things —I'm like, 'What would that bad bitch Super Bunny do?' She helps me call the shots."
Perhaps the strongest thing about "Dangerous Woman" is that Ariana is taking control of herself and her sexuality. She won't let a man walk all over her, and she gains her power from within while calling the shots on what's sexy. We can all take a lesson from Ari's Super Bunny by finding things that empower us within, too.