Bette Midler Calls Ariana Grande AMA Performance 'Silly Beyond Belief'

In a new no-holds-barred interview with UK's Telegraph, Bette Midler shares her strong views on Ariana Grande's performance on Sunday night's AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS, broadcast live from LA's Nokia Theatre.

The Devine Miss M, who was not a fan of Grande's sheer costume or undulating performance shared, "It's always surprising to see someone like Ariana Grande with that silly high voice, a very wholesome voice, slithering around on a couch looking so ridiculous. I mean, it's silly beyond belief and I don't know who's telling her to do it." She continued, "I wish they'd stop. But it's not my business, I'm not her mother. Or her manager. Maybe they tell them that's what you've got to do. Sex sells. Sex has always sold."

The legendary performer went on to offer, "Apparently people really like to pretend they're having sex," she said. "They really like to slap each other's butts. I mean, don't ask me. It's beyond me. I'm too old. I don't know what the end game is going to be. I don't know where you go from all that sex in your 20s. I don't know how you sustain it."

And Midler had this advice for young stars of today's music world who are trying to make a name for themselves
"Trust your talent. You don't have to make a whore out of yourself to get ahead. You really don't."

Read the interview in full here

Bette Midler recently released her first studio album in eight years, 'It's the Girls,' featuring songs from female groups who have had the greatest influence on her throughout her career. The album dropped on Nov. 4 via Warner Bros. Records Covering seven decades of music beginning with the 1930's, the album will feature an array of girl groups including The Boswell Sisters, The Andrews Sisters and R&B LEGENDSTLC. Marc Shaiman will produce.

Midler finished her Broadway run of I'LL EAT YOU LAST this spring, starring as the legendary Hollywood agent Mengers in her first Broadway appearance in almost 40 years. Written by John Logan, I'LL EAT YOU LAST was directed on Broadway by Joe Mantello.

Midler began her legendary career as an entertainer in 1965, in New York, where she developed the trademark act that would make her one of the most renowned talents of her generation. Her debut album, 1972's The Divine Miss M set her on the path that has led her to earn Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes and Academy Award nominations in a career that has spanned over 40 years. She has toured the world, sold millions of albums, published two books and appeared in over two dozen films, including The Rose, Beaches, Ruthless People, Hocus Pocus, First Wives Club and For The Boys.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos