Featured Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for National Board of Review/Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Ariana Grande, Wicked, US News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Celebrity, Ariana Grande, Wicked, US News
During an appearance at this year's National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala, Ariana Grande appeared to have packed make-up on her arms in a clear bid to cover up one of her best-loved tattoos.
The move has since divided fans, with some wondering why she hasn't had her body art removed altogether, and others defending her 'concealer' decision.
For those out of the loop, the 32-year-old Wicked actress has accumulated over 60 tattoos throughout the duration of her time in the spotlight.
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Some of these include a Pokémon character on her left bicep, 'Bellissima' (the Italian word for 'beautiful') on her left rib cage, a lightning bolt behind one ear, and a 'Manchester bee' - a tribute to the devastating terror attack at her Manchester concert in 2017 - behind the other.
Recently, however, the former Disney star has opted to cover-up some of her boldest tattoos.
The move comes after her appearance as 'Glinda the Good' in the cinematic adaptation of Broadway musical Wicked, in which she stars alongside Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo.
Whilst the two have never been explicitly connected by the 'Thank U Next' singer, the release of the film coincided with several changes to Ariana's appearance.
Not only did fans pick up on an apparent alteration to her voice, but they noticed she'd seemingly lightened her hair, changed her style of make-up, and ditched the fake tan she was previously famed for.
And now, as we say, she's started covering up her body art.
On the red carpet of a number of events - including the Oscars and the more recent Golden Globes and National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala - Ariana has been papped using super high-coverage body make-up.
The decision has divided the musician/actress' fan-base, however.
Sharing a screengrab of her upper arm butterfly tattoo having been covered, one penned on X: "ariana…. enough with that foundation girl LET THOSE BUTTERFLIES FLY"
Another speculated: "See this is what i mean. Why would ari keep covering her tattoos if she is no longer glinda?? It’s like she wants to become her character."
"i really am so curious as to why she hasn’t removed them and just spent years covering them instead," a third added.
Others, however, have defended her tattoo covering up procedure.
"Yall do know she is doing this for the movie, to keep that glinda vibe and keep it classy and elegant for this era," one guessed.
As another wrote: "it IS beautiful but I get her so much, it have butterflies on my arm and sometimes I CANNOT stand them"
And a third suggested: "I assume she may wanna remove them but removal takes time and becomes patchy and maybe being in the spotlight atm it’s easier to just keep them covered or at least attempt".
Tyla has reached out to Ariana Grande's representatives for comment.