American pop star Ariana Grande will step back from public life after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour in London on September 1, her representative confirmed to People magazine. Grande has also withdrawn from her upcoming role in the West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George, scheduled to open at London’s Barbican Center in 2027.
A representative for Grande stated she will "take a step back from visibility" following the tour, citing endless, ongoing public scrutiny over her physical appearance and health as the reason for her decision. The statement emphasized that Grande looks forward to finishing the tour "on a high note, both healthily and happily," before taking the break. A source close to the singer described her tour performances as highly physical and athletic, noting she has maintained a healthy and successful level night after night.
The production company behind Sunday in the Park with George, Empire Street Productions, confirmed Grande’s withdrawal in a statement shared on the show’s official X account. The company expressed complete understanding and support for her decision, stating it was not an easy one. The production will proceed as planned, with new casting to be announced at a later date.
Grande’s decision follows renewed public discussion about her health and appearance, particularly after the release of her latest album, Petals, and its accompanying music video. The video for the single of the same name has amassed over 8.4 million views on YouTube since its release, though much of the online discourse has focused on commentary about her physical appearance rather than the video’s content. Grande has previously addressed public scrutiny of her body, calling such commentary dangerous in a 2024 interview.
The singer’s Eternal Sunshine Tour, promoting her 2024 album, concludes in London on September 1, marking the end of her current public-facing commitments. Grande was set to star alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in the Sunday in the Park with George revival, reuniting the two actors after their previous collaboration.
In a statement, Empire Street Productions reiterated their support for Grande’s decision, acknowledging the challenges she has faced. The company confirmed that the musical would continue without her, with casting updates to follow. Grande’s representative did not provide additional details regarding her future projects or the duration of her break from public life.