Ariana Grande commenced the final leg of her Eternal Sunshine Tour at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, signaling an impending year-long hiatus from public life. The singer announced her decision two weeks prior at a Chicago performance, stating the need for a break and to "set boundaries," adding, "Human beings need a break sometimes."
This retreat follows a demanding decade for Grande, characterized by significant professional achievements, including her roles in the "Wicked" films, alongside considerable personal challenges. She has withdrawn from a planned production of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George" at London's Barbican Theatre next year.
IMAGE2 Fans, many sporting bunny ears reminiscent of Grande's 2016 "Dangerous Woman" album artwork, gathered outside the venue. Security measures were notably stringent, with attendees restricted to transparent bags and advised to carry only essentials. This heightened caution has been a standard at Grande's concerts since the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, where a suicide bomber killed 22 people at the end of her concert.
At the time of the Manchester attack, Grande, then 23, described herself as "broken" and later spoke about living with post-traumatic stress disorder. She organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert just two weeks after the bombing, raising funds for victims.
IMAGE1 Her personal life has also seen significant turbulence, including the 2018 death of ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, her engagement to Pete Davidson, a nearly three-year marriage to Dalton Gomez, and a recent split from "Wicked" co-star Ethan Slater. Despite these personal struggles, Grande's career has flourished, with the "Wicked" films released in 2024 and 2025 collectively grossing approximately £1 billion worldwide.
Grande's London performance featured hits from albums such as "Dangerous Woman" and "Thank U, Next." The stage production incorporated a flooded, burned-out house motif that gradually became overgrown with flowers as the concert progressed. The sold-out show underscored Grande's status as a major global artist, even as she prepares to step away from the spotlight.