Ariana Grande to step away from public life amid 'endless scrutiny'
Ariana Grande will step back from public visibility after her London tour finale. The move follows intensified scrutiny over her health and body, and a break from public-facing work.
Singer-actor Ariana Grande will take a break from public appearances after wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine tour in London on September 1, her representative has confirmed. The decision comes amid continued public scrutiny over the singer's health and physical appearance.
In a statement to People, Grande's representative said the singer is looking forward to ending the tour "on a high note, both healthily and happily" before taking "a much-deserved break" from public-facing commitments.
"This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much," the representative added, noting that the break would offer relief from the "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" surrounding the singer.
A source close to Grande told People that the concert is physically demanding and requires a high level of athleticism, adding that she has been performing "healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night."
The publication also reported that Grande will no longer star in the West End revival of lyricist Stephen Sondheim's musical Sunday in the Park with George, which was scheduled to open at London's Barbican Centre next summer alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey. According to the source, Grande "cannot wait to support the brilliant team bringing this project to life."
Ariana Grande's appearance sparks concern
The 33-year-old singer's appearance has been the subject of public discussion for several years, with renewed attention following the release of the music video for her latest single, Petal, from the album of the same name, released on July 31. Grande has repeatedly spoken out against commentary on her body.
She previously addressed the issue in her 2024 song Yes, And?, singing: "My face is sitting, I don't need no disguise / Don't comment on my body, do not reply / Your business is yours, and mine is mine."
Speaking about the new album, the source said, "This album is a fight song, an anthem about the love-hate relationship with the public and their toxicity." The insider added that the project "is not about any romantic partner or breakup in that way."
Grande's Eternal Sunshine tour began in June in Oakland, California, and has since travelled across the US, with stops in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. She is scheduled to conclude the US leg this week in Chicago before heading to London for the final shows.
The tour marks Grande's return to live performances after focusing on film and music projects, including her role as Glinda in the Wicked films. She will next be seen in Focker-in-Law, the latest instalment of the Meet the Parents franchise, alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, before stepping away from public-facing engagements.