Ariana Grande is set to take a break from public life after wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine tour, with her representative saying the singer is stepping away following continued public discussion about her health and appearance.
The singer will be “taking a step back from visibility” after the tour concludes in London on September 1. The announcement comes only days after the release of her eighth studio album, Petal, which has sparked renewed conversation about her body and health.
Speaking to People, Grande’s representative said: “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
They added: “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Grande previously urged people not to engage in “dangerous” body shaming. Credit: Ariana Grande / Instagram
Grande also exits planned West End production
People also confirmed that Grande will no longer appear in the upcoming West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George.
The production is scheduled to open at London’s Barbican Centre next summer and was expected to feature Grande alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
A source close to Grande told People that she “cannot wait to support the brilliant team bringing this project to life.”
New album sparks fresh debate
The announcement follows the release of Petal, Grande’s eighth studio album, which arrived just days before news of her planned break.
British model, author, and body positivity activist Charlotte Howard criticized the imagery in Grande’s ‘Petal’ music video after its July 31 release.
“I think it’s vital we discuss imagery/videos/content like these and the damage they can – and will – have on women and girls. WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS NOT NORMAL,” Howard wrote.
She continued: “Over the past few weeks, as images of Ariana’s concert get plastered around online, I obviously see comments from worried fans, but I also see other people convincing others that she looks ‘healthy’, or that she has simply ‘lost puppy fat’. Some even make jokes about it.
“What I see is someone in desperate need of hospitalisation and care, and while I know it’s often impossible to help someone at this stage of anorexia, there HAS to be an immediate intervention.
“… I think it is absolutely appalling, from both a moral and capitalistic standpoint, to have released these videos and an album when this person needs psychiatric help and hospitalisation. The teams involved should be absolutely ashamed. … I truly, truly hope she gets the help that she so desperately needs.”
Grande previously urged people to stop commenting on appearances
During the Wicked: For Good press tour late last year, Grande reshared a 2024 interview with French internet personality Sally Poumbga on her Instagram Story, where she spoke about public commentary surrounding appearance.
“I’ve been a specimen in a petri-dish since I was 17, so I’ve heard it all,” Grande said. “I’ve heard ‘what’s wrong’ with me, and then you fix it, and then it’s wrong for different reasons.
“I think in today’s society there’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have, at all, commenting on others’ looks, appearance… what they think is going on ‘behind the scenes’ or health or how they present themselves,” she explained. “I think it’s dangerous, for both parties involved.”
