Ariana Grande recently found herself embroiled in controversy after an offhand comment about serial killers.
A remark by Ariana Grande idolizing Jeffrey Dahmer as a potential dinner guest sparked outcry and demands for an apology from the family of one of Dahmer's victims, People reported.
In a recent episode of the "Podcrushed" podcast, hosted by Penn Badgley, Grande recounted her youthful intrigue with serial killers. She described to a young fan how Dahmer, known for his brutal murders, would be her ideal dinner companion. This comment raised eyebrows, especially considering its audience's potential impressionability.
Shirley Hughes, the mother of Tony Hughes who was one of Dahler's 17 victims, expressed her discontent with Grande's remarks in an interview. She emphasized the inappropriateness of discussing such a topic in a light-hearted manner, especially in front of young fans.
Shirley Hughes’ daughter, Barbara Hughes, echoed her mother’s feelings by highlighting the ongoing emotional pain that families of victims endure when such incidents are trivialized. Barbara emphasized the lack of understanding people like Grande may have about the consequences of glorifying such figures.
Shirley Hughes stated:
To me, it seems like she’s sick in her mind. It’s not fancy or funny to say you would have wanted to do dinner with him. It’s also not something you should say to young people, which she says she did.
Ariana Grande's controversial statement originated during a Q&A session early in her career, where she answered a fan's query about her ideal dinner guest. Her affinity towards infamous criminals sparked during her teens, she claimed.
Despite her previous encounters with personal trauma, notably the Manchester bombing at her concert in 2017 resulting in 22 fatalities, Grande’s comments about Dahmer struck a different, dissonant chord with the public and victims' families. The conversation about her fascination with Dahmer was brought to public attention when it was discussed on the June 17 episode of the podcast.
Representatives for Ariana Grande have not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter. The silence from her team has only intensified the scrutiny and demand for a public apology, as voiced by the Hughes family.
The family’s plea for sensitivity and recognition of the implications of such statements highlights a broader debate about the portrayal of criminals in media and pop culture, particularly to impressionable audiences.
Grande mentioned her past infatuation on the podcast:
I was infatuated with serial killers when I was younger. I was like, ‘Oh, you're so cute. Mom and Dad, is it OK if I give the real answer?’ And they were like ‘Sure, what’s the answer?’ and I was like, ‘I mean, Jeffrey Dahher is pretty fascinating. I think I would have loved to have met him. Y’know, maybe with a third party or someone involved. But I have questions.’ And I was like, ‘I’ll just sing ‘Problem’ and go home.'
This situation serves as a potent reminder of the diverse views surrounding controversial figures and the different impacts such statements can have on different communities. It also underscores the larger complexities of celebrity influence in modern culture.
In conclusion, the backlash following Ariana Grande's podcast revelations draws attention to the broader implications of celebrity remarks on sensitive subjects. The insistence from victims’ families for acknowledgment and apology emphasizes the ongoing pain such narratives can revive and the call for more thoughtful public discourse. This incident encourages both the public and individuals to reevaluate how culture and tragedy intersect and how the media discusses them.
