Ariana Grande and her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo shocked fans on the red carpet earlier this month where they appeared to be ‘much more gaunt.’ 

At the premiere of their new film, fans online expressed concern that Ariana looked ‘very fragile’ while others took a more playful view, saying ‘Ozempic is Ozempicking!’

Cosmetic doctors warn that the dramatic transformation in both stars could be down to their restrictive vegan diets, which require careful management.

Dr Dennis Schimpf, a plastic surgeon in South Carolina, warned that the diets leave people at risk of a protein deficiency which can cause muscles to waste away, literally leaving ‘skin and bone.’

He also said Ariana’s seemingly much more pale appearance could be due to a  nutritional deficiency, that may have been caused by her restrictive diet.

Ex-vegans posting online also say they see a reflection of their struggle in Ariana’s appearance, adding that her appearance looks like ‘end-stage veganism.’

Dr Schimpf said: ‘Vegan diets do tend to have issues with protein which causes muscle wasting.

‘Often, people who are strict vegans have to take significant protein supplements or add protein powders to their smoothies.’

Ariana has been a vegan for more than a decade, revealing the shift in her diet in 2013 because of her love for animals like dogs, goats and seahorses.

Cynthia has also been a vegan since 2018, initially making the shift because her body ‘couldn’t handle red meat’ before sticking with it for ethical reasons.