Ariana Grande fights back tears as she addresses criticism over her appearance

Ariana Grande has been forced to hit back at online trolls who have been taking aim at her appearance and body image in a new interview, calling the comments 'dangerous.'

The 31-year-old singer and actress is currently enjoying critical acclaim for her portrayal of Glinda in John M. Chu's cinematic adaptation of the iconic musical, Wicked.

The play, which serves an unofficial prequel to The Wizard of Oz, also stars 37-year-old Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, who later becomes known as The Wicked Witch of the West.

Grande was visibly emotional and teary-eyed when asked by an interviewer what her response was to online critiques about her health and weight.

While it's disheartening to see Grande have to discuss such a personal topic rather than her being allowed to focus on what is quite literally her 'dream role' - she handled it in a graceful and impactful way.

Sally, a French influencer and journalist, gently asked Grande how she copes with the criticism of her appearance.

The 'Thank U, Next' singer replied: "I've been doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a Petri dish really since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all. I've heard every version of it.

Ariana Grande addressed recent criticism (Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

"You're young and you're hearing all kinds of things. It's hard to protect yourself from that noise. It's something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you're experiencing it on, even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner and someone's granny says, 'Oh my God you look skinnier, what happened?' or 'You look heavier what happened?'"

Grande said that the comments are 'uncomfortable and horrible' regardless of where they're coming from.

She added: "In today's society, there's a comfortability that we shouldn't have, at all. Commenting on others' looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes... there's a comfortability that people have commenting on that, that I think is really dangerous."

Grande stars alongside Cynthia Erivo in Wicked (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Her co-star, Erivo, nodded in approval.

Grande then added: "I'm really lucky to have the support system that I have and to just know and trust that I'm beautiful. But I do know what the pressure of that noise feels like. It's been a resident in my life since I was 17. I just don't invite it in anymore."

She concluded: "I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on. I have so much love. It's not invited, so I don't leave space for it anymore. You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s**t."

One person responded: "Leave her alone. She said she was healthy in the past and that’s all people need to listen to."

Another said: "She keeps speaking on this and yall never seem to learn."

• Why 'steamy' Ariana Grande scene was cut from Wicked
• Cynthia Erivo finally addresses rumours she and Ariana Grande were ‘lovers’
• Ariana Grande defended following ‘iPhone face’ criticism from Wicked viewers
• Wicked director has furious response to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande relationship rumours