Ariana Grande has announced plans to step back from public-facing work and appearances following her ongoing "Eternal Sunshine" tour, which concludes in London on September 1. As part of this hiatus, the singer and actress has withdrawn from her upcoming West End role in "Sunday in the Park with George."
Grande's spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating, "Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine 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 producers of "Sunday in the Park with George," Empire Street Productions, issued a statement acknowledging Grande's decision. "We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support," the statement read. "We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course."
Grande's appearance has been the subject of public discussion in recent months, particularly after the release of her music video for "Petal." In the video, Grande plays an aspiring actress who faces rejection. While the video contains social commentary, many viewers focused on her physical appearance, with some expressing concern online. Grande has publicly maintained that she is healthy.
Despite the scrutiny, other fans have defended the singer, arguing that it is inappropriate to comment on her body and that such commentary distracts from her work. Grande herself has addressed this issue in her music, including in her 2024 song "Yes, And?" from the album "Eternal Sunshine," where she sings, "Don't comment on my body, do not reply. Your business is yours and mine is mine."
This decision to take a break follows Grande's admission in January that a career pause would be "healthy." She told Vogue Japan that she is not accustomed to taking breaks but acknowledged growing significantly from time away from music while filming "Wicked." She expressed a desire for more "balance" in the coming years, stating, "Balance is the goal for the next 15 years. I don't think they will look like the previous 15 years."
Concerns about Grande's participation in "Sunday in the Park with George" arose earlier in the summer when ticket sales were halted. At the time, sources indicated that sales were delayed due to her touring and album release schedule. The demanding nature of an eight-show-a-week production was also cited as a potential concern.
Grande is also set to appear in the film adaptation of "Wicked" and the upcoming series "American Horror Story." She has previously indicated a shift in focus towards acting, telling fans, "I'm very excited to do this small tour. But I think it might not happen again for a long, long time."