Ariana Grande commenced her 10-night engagement at London's O2 Arena, a series of performances that signals her impending withdrawal from public life. The singer announced two weeks ago that she would be taking an indefinite break from public-facing work starting in September to establish boundaries and allow herself a period of rest.
This decision comes after a demanding period for the 33-year-old artist, which included filming both parts of the "Wicked" films, promoting "Focker-in-Law," releasing two albums, "Eternal Sunshine" and "Petal," and launching her current tour. Grande's schedule has been particularly intense over the past five years.
The announcement of her hiatus followed a surge in online discussion surrounding her new music video for "Petal," where her notably slim physique became a focal point of commentary. Despite these concerns, Grande appeared composed and confident during her London show, opening with the song "Yes, And?"
Grande's performance featured multiple costume changes, including a black lace corset dress with thigh-high boots and a pink ballerina outfit. The stage design, centered around a dismantled house motif from her "Eternal Sunshine" promotional material, evolves throughout the concert.
Filming notices at the venue indicated the show would be professionally recorded, fueling speculation about a potential concert film. The O2 Arena implemented strict security measures, including bag checks and a significant police presence, leading to longer queues for attendees. These measures are partly in response to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing during one of her concerts.
These London dates are expected to be Grande's last public appearances for the foreseeable future. Her planned commitments, including press tour appearances for "Focker-in-Law" and a role in a Barbican production of "Sunday in the Park with George," have been canceled due to her hiatus. Jonathan Bailey, her "Wicked" co-star, is still slated to perform in the musical.
Grande's role as Glinda in the "Wicked" films, which garnered significant box office success and Oscar nominations, was a long-held ambition. However, the demanding nature of the production, including intensive rehearsals and live singing, took an emotional and physical toll. Conversations about her appearance and weight loss have been ongoing, with Grande previously addressing speculation by advocating for gentler commentary on individuals' bodies.
The artist has experienced significant personal events that have impacted her life and career. In 2017, a terrorist bombing at her Manchester Arena concert resulted in 22 fatalities and over a thousand injuries, an event Grande described as leaving her 'broken' and experiencing PTSD symptoms. She organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert to support victims and their families. In 2018, her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller died of an accidental drug overdose. She also had a brief engagement to Pete Davidson and was married to Dalton Gomez, from whom she finalized a divorce. Her relationship with Ethan Slater, with whom she starred in "Wicked," also recently ended.