Ariana Grande is intentionally reducing her public visibility following her "Eternal Sunshine" tour, a decision attributed to the constant scrutiny of her personal life and appearance, particularly regarding her weight.
Sources close to the singer indicate that while Grande has enjoyed performing, the nonstop public attention has become overwhelming. "She's never handled the public scrutiny well and constant chatter about her weight [doesn't help]," one insider told Page Six. Another source corroborated this, stating that the "nonstop public scrutiny," rather than her workload, was the primary driver behind her decision to step back.
Grande's representative confirmed the singer's plan to take a break from public-facing roles after completing her tour. "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," the representative stated.
This hiatus also coincides with Grande's withdrawal from the West End production of "Sunday in the Park with George." Producers of the musical confirmed her departure, stating they offered their "complete understanding and support" for her decision. The production is scheduled to open at London's Barbican Centre in the summer of 2027.
The recent public discourse about Grande's appearance intensified following the release of her music video for "Petal." Online discussions and speculation about her weight prompted concern from some fans, while others defended the singer, urging the public to refrain from commenting on her body.
One insider noted that Grande's decision to step back was not prompted by a single incident but rather a culmination of her recent professional commitments and the sustained public attention. "Between everything she's taken on over the past few years and all the attention that's been on her lately, she felt it was finally time to slow down and put herself first for a while," the source explained.
Grande plans to spend time with family and friends during her break and is not setting a specific timeline for her return to public life, aiming to avoid adding pressure on herself to make future decisions. She expressed gratitude for the support she has received from fans during this period.