Singer Ariana Grande has responded to the comments made by veteran singer-actress Bette Midler about her raunchy performances, according to Billboard.
The "Love Me Harder" songstress took to Twitter to share her thoughts about Midler's remarks that she's using sex to sell her music, saying: "Bette was always a feminist who stood for women being able to do whatever the F they wanted without judgment."
The tweet continued, "Not sure where that Bette went but I want that sexy mermaid back!! always a fan no matter what my love." The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Midler as Delores De Lago, her wheelchair-bound mermaid alter ego.
The singer followed up the statement with another tweet, saying: "and I will still quote first wives club every single day of my life lmao," referencing one of the movies Midler starred in.
Before Grande tweeted her sentiments, a source close to the pop star reportedly told TMZ that she was shocked and hurt by Midler's comments because she's a fan of the veteran singer.
Midler spoke about the current state of pop music and how she thinks it is ridiculous that pop stars have taken to having extremely sexy images in an interview with the UK's Telegraph.
"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," Midler commented. "I mean, it's silly beyond belief and I don't know who's telling her to do it."
Midler explained that while she disapproves of Grande's raunchy performances, she understands how sex had always been used as a marketing tool in the music industry.
"I wish they'd stop. But it's not my business," she said. "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."
Answering what piece of advice she would give someone who is aspiring to get a break in show business, Midler said, "Trust your talent. You don't have to make a whore out of yourself to get ahead. You really don't."