Published : 03 Aug 2026, 06:10 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:29 AM
Pop star Ariana Grande has announced plans to step back from public-facing work after completing her Eternal Sunshine tour, citing years of intense public scrutiny, The Guardian reports.
Grande has also withdrawn from the 2027 London revival of Stephen Sondheim's “Sunday in the Park With George” at the Barbican, in which she had been due to reunite with her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
According to the British newspaper, a representative for Grande said she would take "a step back from visibility" after finishing the tour.
The representative said she wanted to conclude the tour "on a high note, both healthily and happily" before taking "a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances", which had led to "endless, ongoing public scrutiny".
The spokesperson added that Grande had loved performing throughout the tour and remained grateful to her fans.
Empire Street Productions reportedly said the musical would open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as scheduled, with Grande's role to be recast.
The production company said it fully understood and supported her decision, adding that new casting would be announced later.
Created by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, “Sunday in the Park With George” premiered on Broadway in 1984 starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters.
Inspired by Georges Seurat's painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”, the musical follows the artist as he works to complete the masterpiece while exploring his relationship with his lover and muse, Dot.
The report said Grande's announcement came days after she released the music video for “Petal”, the title track of her eighth studio album.
The song “Like I Do” includes lyrics that have fuelled speculation that she was responding to years of media attention over her appearance.
The Guardian noted that Grande became emotional during a 2024 interview when discussing pressure to "always look perfect".
She said she had felt like "a specimen in a petri dish" since her teenage years and had faced constant criticism over her appearance.
Grande also said comments about a person's body, face or clothing could be "dangerous" and "horrible", regardless of who they target.
She reshared the interview on social media in November as "a loving reminder to all", according to the report.
The Eternal Sunshine tour reaches the UK this month with a 10-night residency at London's O2 arena, ending on Sept 1.
Grande rose to fame after releasing her debut album “Yours Truly” in 2013, having first gained recognition for portraying Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon TV shows “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat”.
She has won three Grammy Awards and received an Academy Award nomination for portraying Glinda in the film adaptation of “Wicked”.
