Ariana Grande expertly shuts down sexist interview questions
Ariana Grande isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in, and we love her for that. In the past, she’s spoken out about the importance of feminism and recently called out some everyday sexism on social media. And now, the hosts of radio station Power 106 have learned the hard way that Ariana will not stand for sexist questions.
In an interview with the station last Thursday to promote her new single, Ariana was asked several totally uncomfortable questions by DJs Justin Credible and Eric D-Lux. At one point, she was asked which item she’d choose between if she could only use it one last time: makeup or her cell phone. But Ariana wasn’t having it.
“Is that what you think girls have trouble choosing between?” she responded. “Is this men assuming that that’s what girls would have to choose between?”
You’d think the interviewers would have recognized and owned up to their mistake at this point, but nooope. “Yes, absolutely!” one of them responded. “Can you really go anywhere without your cell phone? I don’t believe it.”
She told them that she can go “many hours” without taking a peek at her cell, and that she would rather be “present and in the moment” during most of her days. At first, they didn’t believe her. Then, one host then said, “ladies, learn…” before Ariana immediately responded, “boys, learn. . . boys and girls can all learn.”
Later, they were discussing the latest iPhone emojis, and they asked her thoughts. “The unicorn [emoji] is great, obviously,” she responded, before Eric interjected, suggesting the emoji was reserved for girls only.
But Ariana had a fabulous retort for that one, too. “Many boys use the unicorn,” she responded. “You need a little brushing up about equality. Who says the unicorn emoji isn’t for men?. . .Real men use the unicorn emoji and aren’t afraid.”
YAAAS. It’s 100% ridiculous to block off an emoji to an entire gender just because of outdated gender norms. Yes, it’s just an emoji, but Ariana’s response rings true and speaks to so many gender-stereotypic assumptions that oppress—and misrepresent— both males and females.
Later in the interview, Ariana highlighted the issues that are near and dear to her heart — as well as ours. “I have a long list I’d like to change. I think judgment in general,” she said. “Intolerance, meanness, double standards, misogyny, racism, sexism. All that sh*t. There’s lots that we’ve got to start on. That’s what we need to focus on. We’ve got work to do,” she added, wrapping up a an interview she singlehandedly turned into a teachable moment.
Thanks for standing up for what’s right, Ariana. Those in the media — radio hosts included — need to be aware of their language and the effect they can have on society, and we love that Ariana made sure to put her foot down in a situation that so badly needed it. Watch her slay in the full interview here.
(Image via ArianaGrande/Vevo.)
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