Ariana Grande’s recent comments about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer have sparked outrage, particularly from the family of one of Dahmer’s victims. The controversy began when Grande, during an appearance on Penn Badgley’s “Podcrushed” podcast, mentioned that she would have liked to have dinner with Dahmer, describing him as “fascinating.”
The remarks did not sit well with the family of Tony Hughes, a deaf, nonverbal man who was murdered by Dahmer in 1991. Shirley Hughes, Tony’s mother, expressed her dismay to TMZ, stating, “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.”
Grande, a 31-year-old Grammy winner, recounted the story on the podcast, explaining that she was at a Nickelodeon fan convention when a child asked her about her dream dinner guest. She laughed while recalling her response, saying, “I was like, ‘Jeffrey Dahmer is pretty fascinating. I think I would have loved to have met him. Y’know, maybe with a third party or someone involved. But I have questions.’” She added that the parents of the child responded with, “We’ll explain it later, sweetie.”
Shirley Hughes emphasized the emotional pain that such comments cause for the families of Dahmer’s victims. “I want Grande to understand how hurtful her comments were,” she said. “We feel genuine pain whenever Dahmer is mentioned.”
Barbara Hughes-Holt, Tony’s sister, also criticized Grande’s remarks, stating that they glamorize the notorious serial killer. “Unfortunately, until it happens to her and her family, she just doesn’t know what we have been through,” she said.
This is not the first time the Hughes family has spoken out against the portrayal and discussion of Dahmer in popular media. Shirley Hughes previously criticized the Golden Globes when Evan Peters won the award for best actor for his portrayal of Dahmer in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” She told TMZ at the time, “It’s a shame that people can take our tragedy and make money. The victims never saw a cent. We go through these emotions every day.”
In a 2022 interview with The Guardian, Shirley Hughes also expressed her disapproval of the Netflix series, saying, “I don’t see how they can use our names and put stuff out like that out there.”
Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” killed 17 people between 1978 and 1991. He was convicted on 15 counts of murder and sentenced to 15 life terms in prison in 1992. Dahmer was beaten to death in 1994 while incarcerated at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.
The backlash against Grande’s comments highlights a broader issue of how society discusses and portrays serial killers. While some people may find the psychology of such criminals fascinating, it is crucial to remember the real pain and suffering experienced by the victims’ families. The Hughes family’s reaction underscores the importance of sensitivity and empathy when discussing such topics.
Grande has yet to respond to the criticism, but the incident serves as a reminder of the impact that public figures’ words can have. The families of victims like Tony Hughes continue to live with the trauma of their loved ones’ murders, and casual remarks about their killers can reopen old wounds.
In the age of true-crime podcasts and documentaries, it is essential to approach these stories with respect for the victims and their families. While it is natural to be curious about the minds of serial killers, it is equally important to remember the human cost of their actions.
As the conversation around Grande’s comments continues, it is a moment for reflection on how we discuss and consume true crime. The fascination with serial killers should never overshadow the suffering of their victims and the ongoing pain of their families.
Source: TMZ, The Guardian, HuffPost
