Current:Home > InvestAriana Grande calling Jeffrey Dahmer dream dinner guest slammed by victim's mom -Mastery Money Tools
Ariana Grande calling Jeffrey Dahmer dream dinner guest slammed by victim's mom
View
Date:2025-04-13 23:45:18
Ariana Grande controversial Jeffrey Dahmer comments are sparking backlash from one of his victim's families.
After Grande appeared on Penn Badgley's "Podcrushed" podcast and told the "Gossip Girl" alum and his co-host that the serial killer and sex offender was her dream dinner guest, victim Anthony "Tony" Hughes' mom Shirley Hughes spoke to TMZ about the controversial comments.
"To me, it seems like she's sick in her mind. It's not fancy or funny to say you would have wanted to do dinner with him. It's also not something you should say to young people, which she says she did," Shirley Hughes told TMZ.
Jeffrey Dahmer killed 17 people.These are the victims and what we knew about them
Hughes told TMZ she hoped that Grande understands how hurtful her words were, adding that the pop star's podcast admission made her emotional.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Hughes, who was 31 at the time of his disappearance, was last seen May 24, 1991. He was also deaf, a condition brought on after a battle with pneumonia as an infant. Most of Dahmer's victims were men or boys of color and the youngest of his reported victims were just 14 at the time of their disappearances.
On "Podcrushed," Grande described how she talked about her Dahmer fascination to a group of children.
"It was in between me being Cat (on Nickelodeon comedy '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 recalled.
She continued: "I was like, 'Oh honey, you're so cute' ... They were like, 'Sure, what's the answer?' and I was like, 'I mean, Jeffrey Dahmer is pretty fascinating.'
"The parents were like, 'we'll explain it later, sweetheart,' and I was like, 'I'll just sing 'Problem' and go home,'" the "We Can't Be Friends" singer said, referring to her 2014 pop hit with rapper Iggy Azalea.
Ariana Grande previously made controversial 'I hate Americans' comments
In 2015, Grande made headlines in a video caught by a California donut shop's security camera.
TMZ reported that Grande licked a tray of donuts alongside ex-boyfriend, backup dancer Ricky Alvarez, and kissed on camera. Then, after an employee brought out a tray of fresh donuts, Grande said: "What the (expletive) is that? I hate Americans. I hate America."
"I am EXTREMELY proud to be an American and I've always made it clear that I love my country," said Grande in a statement sent to USA TODAY at the time. "What I said in a private moment with my friend, who was buying the donuts, was taken out of context and I am sorry for not using more discretion with my choice of words."
Contributing: Andrea Mandell
veryGood! (69)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Ranking
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
Recommendation
2024 Olympics: Gymnast Ana Barbosu Taking Social Media Break After Scoring Controversy
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery