Ariana Grande to step back from spotlight

Ariana Grande
(Courtesy of BANG Showbiz)

Ariana Grande is preparing to step away from the spotlight following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

The 33-year-old singer and actor will finish the tour with a September 1 performance at London’s O2 Arena before taking what her representative described as a “much-deserved break” from public appearances and other highly visible work.

Grande had been scheduled to star opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, set to open at London’s Barbican Center in summer 2027. Her representative has now confirmed that she has withdrawn from the production.

“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” her spokesperson told People.

“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 added that the tour has been a positive experience for Grande, who remains deeply appreciative of her fans.


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“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her,” the statement continued. “She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”

A source close to the performer emphasized the physical demands of the production, describing the concert as highly athletic and noting that Grande has continued to perform at a high level throughout the run.

Empire Street Productions, the company behind Sunday in the Park with George, confirmed Grande’s departure in a separate statement.

“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the producers said. “We wish her nothing but the best.”

The revival will still open at the Barbican in summer 2027, with new casting to be announced at a later date.

Grande has repeatedly spoken out against public commentary surrounding her body and appearance. She addressed that scrutiny directly in her 2024 song “Yes, And?” and has also used interviews and social media to urge people to avoid making assumptions about someone’s health based solely on how they look.

Earlier this year, Grande acknowledged that taking time away from work could be beneficial after spending much of the past decade and a half moving continuously between music, film, television and live performance.

“I think that it would probably be healthy,” she told Vogue Japan. “I’m not used to taking breaks.”

Grande explained that stepping away from music while filming Wicked had helped her grow creatively and personally. She said her goal moving forward is to establish greater balance in her career and personal life.

“These past few years have been pretty non-stop,” she said. “And by few, I mean 15.”

While Grande’s immediate plans remain unclear beyond the end of the tour, the decision signals a conscious effort to reduce the relentless visibility that has followed her throughout much of her adult life.

After 15 years of almost constant public attention, she appears ready to let the spotlight dim for a while.


Ariana Grande
(Courtesy of BANG Showbiz)

Ariana Grande is preparing to step away from the spotlight following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

The 33-year-old singer and actor will finish the tour with a September 1 performance at London’s O2 Arena before taking what her representative described as a “much-deserved break” from public appearances and other highly visible work.

Grande had been scheduled to star opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, set to open at London’s Barbican Center in summer 2027. Her representative has now confirmed that she has withdrawn from the production.

“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” her spokesperson told People.

“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 added that the tour has been a positive experience for Grande, who remains deeply appreciative of her fans.


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“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her,” the statement continued. “She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”

A source close to the performer emphasized the physical demands of the production, describing the concert as highly athletic and noting that Grande has continued to perform at a high level throughout the run.

Empire Street Productions, the company behind Sunday in the Park with George, confirmed Grande’s departure in a separate statement.

“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the producers said. “We wish her nothing but the best.”

The revival will still open at the Barbican in summer 2027, with new casting to be announced at a later date.

Grande has repeatedly spoken out against public commentary surrounding her body and appearance. She addressed that scrutiny directly in her 2024 song “Yes, And?” and has also used interviews and social media to urge people to avoid making assumptions about someone’s health based solely on how they look.

Earlier this year, Grande acknowledged that taking time away from work could be beneficial after spending much of the past decade and a half moving continuously between music, film, television and live performance.

“I think that it would probably be healthy,” she told Vogue Japan. “I’m not used to taking breaks.”

Grande explained that stepping away from music while filming Wicked had helped her grow creatively and personally. She said her goal moving forward is to establish greater balance in her career and personal life.

“These past few years have been pretty non-stop,” she said. “And by few, I mean 15.”

While Grande’s immediate plans remain unclear beyond the end of the tour, the decision signals a conscious effort to reduce the relentless visibility that has followed her throughout much of her adult life.

After 15 years of almost constant public attention, she appears ready to let the spotlight dim for a while.