{"id":2085020,"date":"2026-08-09T10:31:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T07:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2085020"},"modified":"2026-08-09T10:31:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T07:31:39","slug":"bill-mahers-joke-about-ariana-grandes-weight-receives-mixed-reactions-from-real-time-audience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2085020","title":{"rendered":"Bill Maher\u2019s joke about Ariana Grande\u2019s weight receives mixed reactions from \u2018Real Time\u2019 audience"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ariana-Grande-and-Bill-Maher.-CREDIT_-Kevin-Mazur_Getty-Images-and-Taylor-Hill_FilmMagic.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Bill Maher\u2019s joke about Ariana Grande\u2019s weight receives mixed reactions from \u2018Real Time\u2019 audience<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>It comes after the singer announced she would be taking a break from public life<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Laura Molloy<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-09T11:31:39+01:00\">9th August 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ariana-Grande-and-Bill-Maher.-CREDIT_-Kevin-Mazur_Getty-Images-and-Taylor-Hill_FilmMagic-696x442.jpg\" alt title=\"Ariana Grande and Bill Maher. CREDIT_ Kevin Mazur_Getty Images and Taylor Hill_FilmMagic\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Ariana Grande and Bill Maher. CREDIT: Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images and Taylor Hill\/FilmMagic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Bill Maher made a joke about Ariana Grande\u2018s weight during a recent episode of <em>Real Time<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0Ariana Grande \u2013 \u2018Petal\u2019 review: conflicted pop songs under the spotlight<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The joke, which aired during Friday\u2019s (August 7) episode of his show drew mixed reactions from the live audience.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI hope the aliens are here, I do. I hope they\u2019re here and watching us and they\u2019re going to save us,\u201d Maher said during his opening monologue. \u201cAnd, by the way, the administration this week, just a few days ago, maybe yesterday, unleashed a new trove of UFO files. Interesting things in there. Triangular craft, weird lights over an army base, a stick-like figure with large eyes. Oh, that was just an Ariana Grande video.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The joke comes in light of public commentary surrounding Grande\u2019s body and appearance, which intensified online after she recently released the video for \u2018Petal\u2019, the title track from her new album.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, Maher received laughs and applause from the crowd; however, his follow-up joke was met with groans: \u201cPlease, we kid. We kid. Maybe that joke will make her eat something.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The White House released a new wave of UFO files. Sightings include a triangular craft in the sky, high-speed orbs near an army base, and a stick-like figure with large eyes, but that was just Ariana Grande. pic.twitter.com\/buBBGk2Ze4<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bill Maher (@billmaher) August 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It comes after the pop star\u2019s representatives confirmed last weekend that she would be \u201ctaking a step back from visibility\u201d\u00a0following\u00a0her current \u2018Eternal Sunshine\u2019 tour.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>She has also withdrawn from\u00a0the upcoming West End revival of\u00a0<i>Sunday In The Park With George<\/i>, in which she had been due to appear alongside her\u00a0<i>Wicked<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>co-star Jonathan Bailey. It would have been her West End debut at London\u2019s Barbican Centre, starting next summer.<\/p>\n<p>Grande has since commented on reports about her break, taking a moment during a recent concert to \u201cclear the air about a few things\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes when a story comes out that\u2019s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion, so I wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much,\u201d the singer told the audience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It was something that I have decided. A plan that I had quietly made a long time ago. It was a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>She went on: \u201cI heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the far opposite. This is not what that is. And I just want to be very, very clear: multiple things can be true at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBoundaries need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes and also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@chris\/video\/7670000238119161119\" data-video-id=\"7670000238119161119\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\">\n<section> @chris <\/p>\n<p>HER PUTTING HER PHONE IN HER BOOT AT THE END \u2620\ufe0f we love uuuu @arianagrande #arianagrande #eternalsunshinetour <\/p>\n<p> \u266c original sound \u2013 Chris Olsen <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The initial statement about Grande\u2019s decision to step back from public life came shortly after she released her eighth studio album, \u2018Petal\u2019, on July 31.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p>Her reps said she would be \u201ctaking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny\u201d. The message stated that Grande would end the tour \u201con a high note, both healthily and happily\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><em>People<\/em> quoted a source close to the star, who emphasised that she was in good health. \u201cShe performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved,\u201d they commented. \u201cShe performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Last month,\u00a0it was reported that Grande had also pulled out of the new season of\u00a0<em>American Horror Story\u00a0<\/em>due to touring commitments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\" data-io-article-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/ariana-grande-to-take-a-step-back-from-visibility-amid-endless-ongoing-public-scrutiny-3960359\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>She is still set to appear alongside\u00a0Ben Stiller\u00a0and\u00a0Robert De Niro\u00a0in the upcoming\u00a0<i>Meet\u00a0The\u00a0Parents\u00a0<\/i>sequel\u00a0<i>Focker-In-Law<\/i>, which is due to be released in November.<\/p>\n<p>Grande is scheduled to play two more concerts at Chicago\u2019s United Center tomorrow (Wednesday August 5) and Thursday (August 6). She\u2019ll then head to the UK for a 10-night residency at The O2 in London between August 15 and September 1.\u00a0Find any remaining tickets here.<\/p>\n<p>In\u00a0a three-and-a-half-star review of \u2018Petal\u2019,\u00a0<em>NME<\/em>\u00a0wrote: \u201cRather than turning heartache into collective joy and wonder \u2013 which has always been her greatest strength \u2013 \u2018Petal\u2019 pulls inward, beseeching the listener to hold empathy for her experiences, even as she reportedly looks to\u00a0step back from public life\u00a0following the \u2018Eternal Sunshine\u2019 tour.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Ariana Grande<\/li>\n<li>Pop<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html 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td-module-title\">Madonna pays emotional tribute to William Orbit: \u201cYour music gave me a magic carpet to fly on\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/william-orbit-2012-credit-Victor-FraileGetty-Images-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/william-orbit-2012-credit-Victor-FraileGetty-Images-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Features<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">William Orbit, 1956\u20132026: musical maverick who produced era-defining hits for Madonna, Blur and All Saints<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Jamie_McCarthy_Alex_Brandon_Pool-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Jamie_McCarthy_Alex_Brandon_Pool-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Taylor Swift\u2019s \u2018August\u2019 removed from Donald Trump TikTok post that joked she would be \u201csuper excited\u201d about its use<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NMEAR_NME-GLASTO-2025-OLIVIA-RODRIGO-LIVE-ANDY-FORD-25@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NMEAR_NME-GLASTO-2025-OLIVIA-RODRIGO-LIVE-ANDY-FORD-25@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Watch Olivia Rodrigo play intimate Brooklyn show as she launches Bandcamp page<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Bill Maher made a joke about Ariana Grande\u2018s weight during a recent episode of <em>Real Time<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0Ariana Grande \u2013 \u2018Petal\u2019 review: conflicted pop songs under the spotlight<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The joke, which aired during Friday\u2019s (August 7) episode of his show drew mixed reactions from the live audience.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI hope the aliens are here, I do. I hope they\u2019re here and watching us and they\u2019re going to save us,\u201d Maher said during his opening monologue. \u201cAnd, by the way, the administration this week, just a few days ago, maybe yesterday, unleashed a new trove of UFO files. Interesting things in there. Triangular craft, weird lights over an army base, a stick-like figure with large eyes. Oh, that was just an Ariana Grande video.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The joke comes in light of public commentary surrounding Grande\u2019s body and appearance, which intensified online after she recently released the video for \u2018Petal\u2019, the title track from her new album.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, Maher received laughs and applause from the crowd; however, his follow-up joke was met with groans: \u201cPlease, we kid. We kid. Maybe that joke will make her eat something.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The White House released a new wave of UFO files. Sightings include a triangular craft in the sky, high-speed orbs near an army base, and a stick-like figure with large eyes, but that was just Ariana Grande. pic.twitter.com\/buBBGk2Ze4<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bill Maher (@billmaher) August 8, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It comes after the pop star\u2019s representatives confirmed last weekend that she would be \u201ctaking a step back from visibility\u201d\u00a0following\u00a0her current \u2018Eternal Sunshine\u2019 tour.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>She has also withdrawn from\u00a0the upcoming West End revival of\u00a0<i>Sunday In The Park With George<\/i>, in which she had been due to appear alongside her\u00a0<i>Wicked<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>co-star Jonathan Bailey. It would have been her West End debut at London\u2019s Barbican Centre, starting next summer.<\/p>\n<p>Grande has since commented on reports about her break, taking a moment during a recent concert to \u201cclear the air about a few things\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes when a story comes out that\u2019s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion, so I wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much,\u201d the singer told the audience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It was something that I have decided. A plan that I had quietly made a long time ago. It was a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>She went on: \u201cI heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the far opposite. This is not what that is. And I just want to be very, very clear: multiple things can be true at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBoundaries need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes and also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@chris\/video\/7670000238119161119\" data-video-id=\"7670000238119161119\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\">\n<section> @chris <\/p>\n<p>HER PUTTING HER PHONE IN HER BOOT AT THE END \u2620\ufe0f we love uuuu @arianagrande #arianagrande #eternalsunshinetour <\/p>\n<p> \u266c original sound \u2013 Chris Olsen <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The initial statement about Grande\u2019s decision to step back from public life came shortly after she released her eighth studio album, \u2018Petal\u2019, on July 31.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p>Her reps said she would be \u201ctaking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny\u201d. The message stated that Grande would end the tour \u201con a high note, both healthily and happily\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><em>People<\/em> quoted a source close to the star, who emphasised that she was in good health. \u201cShe performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved,\u201d they commented. \u201cShe performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Last month,\u00a0it was reported that Grande had also pulled out of the new season of\u00a0<em>American Horror Story\u00a0<\/em>due to touring commitments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\" data-io-article-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/ariana-grande-to-take-a-step-back-from-visibility-amid-endless-ongoing-public-scrutiny-3960359\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>She is still set to appear alongside\u00a0Ben Stiller\u00a0and\u00a0Robert De Niro\u00a0in the upcoming\u00a0<i>Meet\u00a0The\u00a0Parents\u00a0<\/i>sequel\u00a0<i>Focker-In-Law<\/i>, which is due to be released in November.<\/p>\n<p>Grande is scheduled to play two more concerts at Chicago\u2019s United Center tomorrow (Wednesday August 5) and Thursday (August 6). She\u2019ll then head to the UK for a 10-night residency at The O2 in London between August 15 and September 1.\u00a0Find any remaining tickets here.<\/p>\n<p>In\u00a0a three-and-a-half-star review of \u2018Petal\u2019,\u00a0<em>NME<\/em>\u00a0wrote: \u201cRather than turning heartache into collective joy and wonder \u2013 which has always been her greatest strength \u2013 \u2018Petal\u2019 pulls inward, beseeching the listener to hold empathy for her experiences, even as she reportedly looks to\u00a0step back from public life\u00a0following the \u2018Eternal Sunshine\u2019 tour.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\" data-io-article-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/ariana-grande-to-take-a-step-back-from-visibility-amid-endless-ongoing-public-scrutiny-3960359\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>She is still set to appear alongside\u00a0Ben Stiller\u00a0and\u00a0Robert De Niro\u00a0in the upcoming\u00a0<i>Meet\u00a0The\u00a0Parents\u00a0<\/i>sequel\u00a0<i>Focker-In-Law<\/i>, which is due to be released in November.<\/p>\n<p>Grande is scheduled to play two more concerts at Chicago\u2019s United Center tomorrow (Wednesday August 5) and Thursday (August 6). She\u2019ll then head to the UK for a 10-night residency at The O2 in London between August 15 and September 1.\u00a0Find any remaining tickets here.<\/p>\n<p>In\u00a0a three-and-a-half-star review of \u2018Petal\u2019,\u00a0<em>NME<\/em>\u00a0wrote: \u201cRather than turning heartache into collective joy and wonder \u2013 which has always been her greatest strength \u2013 \u2018Petal\u2019 pulls inward, beseeching the listener to hold empathy for her experiences, even as she reportedly looks to\u00a0step back from public life\u00a0following the \u2018Eternal Sunshine\u2019 tour.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/bill-mahers-joke-about-ariana-grandes-weight-receives-mixed-reactions-from-real-time-audience-3961574&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ariana-Grande-and-Bill-Maher.-CREDIT_-Kevin-Mazur_Getty-Images-and-Taylor-Hill_FilmMagic.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News Bill Maher\u2019s joke about Ariana Grande\u2019s weight receives mixed reactions from \u2018Real Time\u2019 audience It comes after the singer announced she would be taking a break from public life By Laura Molloy 9th August 2026 Ariana Grande and Bill Maher. CREDIT: Kevin Mazur\/Getty Images and Taylor Hill\/FilmMagic Bill Maher made [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2085020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2085020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085020\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2085020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2085020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2085020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}