Ariana Grande commenced her 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena on Friday, signaling the start of her last significant public appearances before an indefinite hiatus from the spotlight. The Grammy-winning artist announced her intention to step back from public-facing work two weeks prior, citing a need to "set boundaries" and for humans to "take a break sometimes."
Grande's schedule over the past five years has been demanding, including filming the "Wicked" films, promoting other projects, and releasing two albums, "Eternal Sunshine" and "Petal," alongside extensive touring. This decision follows increased scrutiny over her appearance, particularly after the release of her music video for "Petal," where her noticeably thin frame drew significant online discussion. Despite this, Grande appeared composed on stage, opening her London show with "Yes, And?"
The concert, which runs for approximately two hours and is divided into five acts, features stage design centered around a destroyed house that becomes overgrown with flowers. Grande performed in a black lace corset dress and custom Christian Louboutin boots, later changing into a pink ballerina outfit designed by Alexander McQueen.
Filming notices at the venue indicated the show would be professionally recorded, fueling speculation about a potential concert film. Security measures were heightened, including strict bag policies and a significant police presence, a response influenced by the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing during one of her previous tours. These enhanced security protocols led to considerable queues for attendees.
The hiatus will also affect other professional commitments. Grande has canceled her participation in the press tour for "Focker-in-Law" scheduled for November and withdrew from a Barbican production of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George." She was set to star alongside Jonathan Bailey, her "Wicked" co-star, in the musical.
Grande's role as Glinda in the "Wicked" films, which grossed over $750 million worldwide and earned ten Oscar nominations, was a long-held ambition. However, the intensive filming and performance demands of the role reportedly took an emotional and physical toll, contributing to conversations about her weight. While Grande has stated she is healthy, she addressed speculation about her appearance in April 2023, urging for gentler commentary on people's bodies.
The singer's career has been marked by significant public events, including the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the death of ex-boyfriend Mac Miller in 2018, and brief relationships with Pete Davidson and Dalton Gomez, whom she married in 2021 before their divorce. She is reportedly now in a relationship with Ricky Alvarez.
In January, Grande told Vogue Japan that a career break "would be healthy" after a continuous 15 years in the industry, expressing a desire for more "balance." Her decision to step back follows a period of intense public scrutiny throughout her career.