Pop superstar Ariana Grande will step away from public appearances and has withdrawn from an upcoming London musical after concluding her Eternal Sunshine Tour next month.
A representative for the 33-year-old singer told People magazine that Grande would be “taking a step back from visibility” after the tour, citing the “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” she has faced in recent years.
The announcement means Grande will no longer star in the 2027 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s acclaimed musical Sunday in the Park with George, which is set to be staged at London’s Barbican Theatre.
The production company, Empire Street Productions, confirmed her departure and said it fully supports her decision.
“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. We wish her nothing but the best,” the company said in a statement.
Grande’s physical appearance and health have been the subject of widespread online speculation in recent years, with renewed attention following the release of her new album Petal and its promotional campaign.
Her representative stressed that the singer remains healthy and is looking forward to finishing her tour on a positive note before taking a well-earned break from public-facing work.
“She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved. She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night,” the representative said.
Grande’s final scheduled performance on the tour is set to take place in London on September 1.
She had originally been cast alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in the revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, but producers have yet to announce who will replace her.
The singer has not publicly commented on the decision, and her representatives have not provided further details.
Discussion surrounding Grande’s appearance intensified again after the release of the music video for her latest single, Petal, in which she portrays a performer repeatedly criticised during auditions for her looks and appearance.
In the video, the character is told she is “not good enough,” “desperate,” and criticised both for not having cosmetic work and for allegedly having “too much work done,” before ultimately confronting her critics in a symbolic ending.
