UPDATE: Ariana Grande Hits Back at Bette Midler Over ‘Whore’ Comment [VIDEOS]

Ariana Grande has reportedly hit back at Bette Midler’s assertion that she has made a “whore” out of herself in the industry. The 21-year-old “Problem” singer apparently called the veteran songstress a pot to her kettle.

In an interview with the Telegraph, Midler, 68, was vocal about her thoughts on the “pornification” of today’s pop music, immediately citing Grande’s name as an example.

“It’s terrible! 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. I wish they’d stop,” she said, later on adding her advice to young women that they don’t have to “whore out” themselves to get ahead in show business.

Read: Bette Midler Says Ariana Grande Looks Ridiculous With Silly High Voice

Midler’s attacked shocked Grande, who was allegedly hurt and “more than a little indignant” that the multi-award-winning star just singled her out. According to TMZ, Grande told friends that she embraces sexuality on stage, “just like Bette did.”

Sources told the gossip site that Grande was upset because she’s a huge fan of Midler, and that Midler’s one to talk when she did exactly the same thing Grande does. TMZ described Midler as “overtly sexual and raunchy on stage” when she hit showbiz during the ‘70s.

The Divine Miss M began her career in the ‘60s with Off-Off-Broadway roles and a Broadway role in “Fiddler on the Roof.” In the ‘70s, she began singing in a gay bathhouse, an experience she recalled with pride. From then on, she went to star in several theatre and film productions, and had recorded top-selling albums, and shot TV appearances. She earned multiple Grammy, Golden Globes, Emmy and a special Tony, and had been nominated twice for Academy Awards.

Grande isn’t alone, though. Midler also didn’t appear to have a high opinion of the Spice Girls and Simon Cowell. During the interview with the Telegraph, Midler didn’t say much about One Direction as well, but the interviewer noted that she had an “insincere smile” on her face upon mentioning them.

UPDATE: Following TMZ’s report, Grande herself has responded to Midler with a tweet including a photo of the older star in a sexy two-piece attire. She said Midler had been a feminist who stood for women who do “whatever the F they wanted without judgment!”

She continued, “not sure where that Bette went but I want that sexy mermaid back!!! always a fan no matter what my love.” (sic)

See the tweet and photo here.