Ariana Grande has announced she will no longer perform in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George. The decision comes after her team confirmed that she will step back from public appearances following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine Tour on Sept. 1. This marks a significant shift in her career as she prepares to take a break from the intense public focus that has defined her life in recent years.
Grande is scheduled to perform three shows in Chicago before heading to London, where she will complete the remaining 10 shows of the tour starting Aug. 15. A representative for Grande made the announcement to People magazine, citing the necessity for a break from the public scrutiny that has followed her throughout her career. She looks forward to finishing the tour on a positive note and then stepping back from public-facing work for a much-needed respite.
Grande's announcement coincides with the release of her latest album
Her decision to step back from the public eye follows the release of her eighth studio album, Petal. To celebrate the album's debut, Grande shared an Instagram post on Monday featuring stills from the controversial music video for the title track. However, she did not address her decision to step away from the spotlight in the post, focusing instead on the new music.
The West End production of Sunday in the Park with George confirmed on its social media accounts that Grande would no longer appear in the show. The production is still on track to open next summer at London's Barbican Centre. The casting team plans to announce a replacement for her role at a later date. The stage play's management expressed their understanding and support of Grande's decision. They said, 'We wish her nothing but the best.'
Grande has been vocal about the scrutiny of her body
In 2023, Grande shared a TikTok video addressing the body-shaming she faces. She explained that the body people often compare her to is actually one where she was in a deeply unhealthy state. At that time, she was taking antidepressants, drinking heavily, and eating poorly. She stressed the importance of being kinder and less critical of people's bodies. 'I just wanted to address your concerns about my body,' she said. 'And talk a little bit about what it means to be a person with a body. And to be seen, and to be paid such close attention to.' She added, 'I was on a lot of antidepressants, and drinking on them and eating poorly. And at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you considered my 'healthy.'
In November, she posted on Instagram, sharing a December 2024 interview in which she discussed the ongoing body-shaming she experienced as a teenager. She mentioned that she has heard all forms of criticism and that fixing one issue often results in another being targeted. This reflection is part of her ongoing effort to encourage more compassion and understanding in public discourse.
Vivienne Lewis, a clinical psychologist, has more than two decades of experience in treating eating disorders. She wrote about how public speculation about celebrities can become deeply personal and hard to escape. She noted that even well-intentioned comments can have unintended consequences. It makes it important to approach such topics with care. It can also have unintended consequences for everyone else watching.
Eternal Sunshine Tour marks a significant career milestone
Grande launched her Eternal Sunshine Tour in June. It marked her first major tour in seven years. During an appearance on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast in November, she described the 41-show tour as a potential 'last hurrah.' She suggested it could be years before she embarks on a similar tour again. All the remaining dates for the tour are currently sold out. After concluding the tour on Sept. 1, Grande plans to take a well-earned break from the public eye. She will focus on her personal well-being.