Ariana Grande slams “sexist double standard” in empowering essay

 

Ariana Grande has responded to tawdry speculation about her relationship with One Direction member Niall Horan via a series of forceful quotes, and a triumphant Twitter manifesto that’s drawing applause from all corners.

This weekend, Ariana Grande was spotted leaving Horan’s house at around three o’ clock in the morning. (The photo above is from the bash Horan threw, and it clearly wasn’t a two-person affair.) Grande’s first response was to British tabloid The Sun: “A girl can be friends with someone with a d*ck,” she said, “and not hop on it.”

But the quote was just fuel for the tabloid fires–as were previous statements Grande had made about her relationship with most recent ex Big Sean. So, late Sunday night, Grande typed up a longer, more pointed response, and shared it via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Her “Twitter manifesto” (or “Twitter-festo,” as at least one publication is calling it) has taken social media by storm. Here are Grande’s own words:

 

 

 

Wrote Grande,

 

I am tired of living in a world where women are mostly referred to as a man’s past, present[,] or future PROPERTY / POSSESSION. I… do not. belong. to anyone. but myself. and neither do you….I’m currently making the best music I’ve ever made in my life, having the best time of my life on tour with some of the greatest people I’ve ever known….Gloria Steinem published an article in 1969 titled “After Black Power, Women’s Liberation” …. and 46 years later… we’re still not quite there yet!

 

She then wrote at length about the differences in sexual attitudes that women face, pointing out that a man who has sex with many women is referred to as a “stud” or a “king,” but that a woman who has sex with many men is still, in large part, considered a “slut,” and shamed for her behavior.

Taylor Swift was among the first of Grande’s fellow stars to respond:

 

@ArianaGrande I’m so proud of you, always. But especially today. “She will need her sisterhood.”

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 7, 2015

 

  Rita Ora also expressed admiration for the tweet–as did Ariana’s mother, Joan:  

 

@ArianaGrande I couldn’t agree with you more. Especially this paragraph. #sisterhood #noexplanationneeded pic.twitter.com/UpsqdqlWFU

— Rita Ora (@RitaOra) June 7, 2015

 

I am so proud!!!! https://t.co/J1jzd69ytB

— Joan Grande (@joangrande) June 7, 2015

 

As of Monday morning (or Monday afternoon in Britain), The Sun had not published a response.

 

(Photo credits: Ariana via Instagram)