Ariana Grande is under fire for her recent comments about serial killers, particularly Jeffrey Dahmer. During her appearance on the Podcrushed podcast with hosts Penn Badgley, Sophie Ansari, and Nava Kavelin, Grande revealed her fascination with serial killers and expressed a controversial desire to have dinner with Dahmer, sparking widespread outrage.
Grande’s Infatuation with Serial Killers and Dahmer Remarks
In the podcast episode, Grande discussed her youthful fascination with serial killers, saying, “I was infatuated with serial killers when I was younger.” This revelation came in response to a question about her dream dinner guest, to which she shockingly answered Jeffrey Dahmer. “It was in between me being Cat [on Sam & Cat] and pop stuff, so it was like a younger group, and they were with parents, and someone said, ‘If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?’” Grande admitted she would still like to meet Dahmer, despite his heinous crimes involving necrophilia and cannibalism. Dahmer, who was convicted of murdering 17 boys and men from 1978 to 1991, was killed in prison in 1994.
Grande elaborated on her controversial choice, saying, “I think I would have loved to have met him. You know, maybe with a third party or someone involved. But I have questions.” Her remarks quickly sparked backlash, with many finding them insensitive and disturbing.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The comments have drawn significant criticism from fans and the public. In the comment section of the podcast video, one user remarked, “I don’t think she knows what she’s doing,” while another said, “This is a surprisingly common stance. All these guys were getting fan mail in prison.” Some expressed concern over Grande’s apparent trivialization of Dahmer’s crimes, with one user noting, “I swear they want to get kidnapped…..”
The controversy also spilled over to Reddit, where users blasted Grande’s comments. One Redditor wrote, “This is so vile… I have a great interest in crime cases but the LAST thing I’d want to do is have dinner with a serial killer. Jeffrey Dahmer was a pedophile who murdered innocent people, mainly people of color because he knew police wouldn’t take their disappearances as seriously. Joking about wanting to have dinner with him is sick and horribly offensive to the victims’ families, who are still alive and affected by the tragedy FYI. Let’s stop glorifying these psychos and pretending they are intensely enamoring people—they’re not, and if you met them in real life you would quickly realize why.”
Another user commented, “That’s such a disgusting thing to say,” echoing the sentiment of many who found Grande’s remarks not only insensitive but also deeply offensive. The backlash highlights a broader societal concern about the glorification of criminals and the impact such statements can have on the victims’ families and the public’s perception of serious crimes.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and awareness when discussing topics related to crime and its victims. Grande’s comments, intended or not, have sparked a necessary conversation about the impact of words and the responsibility that public figures hold in shaping public discourse.