Content warning: This article discusses eating disorders and celebrities who have been scrutinized. It may be triggering for some readers.

From 2006 to 2018, an era where “body positivity” supposedly reigned on social media, global rates of eating disorders more than doubled. Then in 2020, rates of people seeking eating disorder treatment skyrocketed, especially among teenagers. While studies show up to 1 in 5 women may suffer from an eating disorder in her lifetime, men aren’t far behind. And eating disorders in communities of color are less likely to be researched, recognized, or treated. These disorders can’t be trivialized, especially when they have the second-highest mortality rate of any mental health condition, behind opioid addiction.

Much like domestic abuse and sexual violence, eating disorders are a deadly public health crisis that disproportionately affects women and girls and is only getting worse. And much like sexual violence, the popular discourse around these topics tends to hyperfixate on famous women and what blame they shoulder for these societal ills. Sometimes these conversations occur under the guise of progressive, feminist concern. But they typically stop short of the kind of feminism that is necessary to actually describe these crises in their entirety, let alone combat them.

Usually, I lead my newsletter with a celebrity or other pop culture example, because I know they serve as a good hook. Psychologically, we are drawn to famous people and their stories. But when it comes to eating disorders, I’m increasingly finding this to be an incomplete approach, one that is missing the larger picture and the majority of people affected.

Still, celebrity cases matter. Especially in our social media-driven culture, public figures occupy more of our feeds and headspace and attention than ever. They set trends and standards and inform our day-to-day lives. So I, too, was concerned when I saw pictures and videos of pop star Ariana Grande on tour for the first time in seven years.