Ariana Grande: Decision to step back from spotlight not an impulsive thing

Ariana Grande has said her decision to take a break from the spotlight was “not a reactive or impulsive thing” and has been planned for a long time.

The singer, 33, announced she will take a break from public life after she wraps up her current tour and has dropped out of the upcoming London revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday In The Park With George, in which she was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.

Appearing on stage in Chicago, Grande took a break from singing to address the decision, saying it came from “a thoughtful and empowered place.”

In a fan video shared on Grande’s Instagram story, she said: “Is it ok if we get a little real tonight? I wrote down my thoughts cos I don’t want to forget.

“Sometimes when a story comes out that’s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion. So I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much. It means a lot to me. To let you know how I’m feeling and not let the world decide and project. I’d like to just clear the air.

“Basically the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It’s something that I have decided. It’s a plan that I have quietly made a long time ago. It’s a decision I was making from a thoughtful and empowered place.”

Grande’s speech was met by rapturous applause and screaming from her fans inside the concert.

She continued: “I want you to know that many, many things can be true at the same time.

“I want to share this because I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me. But I just have to say that could not be more the f*** opposite. This is not what that is.

“I just want to make it very, very clear. Multiple things can be true at the same time. Boundaries can need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes.

“And also this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.

“So I just wanted to make that quite plain. No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or louder to me than this love that we share or how it feels to make art with the people that I love and respect. Absolutely nothing will change that.

“I love you, and this is what I will always take with me, because the rest of this shit is not mine to carry, so I don’t carry it.”

She added that the current tour has been the most “healing creative and special experience of my life”.

On Sunday, it was announced Grande will take “a step back from visibility” after her Eternal Sunshine tour, which will come to the UK in August, with a 10-night residency at London’s The O2.

A representative for the singer said: “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.”

It came after Grande released the music video for Petal, the title single from her newly released eighth studio album, which sparked speculation about her health.

The production of Sunday In The Park With George at the Barbican in 2027 will continue as planned with Bailey, and Grande’s role will be recast.

Published: 04/08/2026 by Radio NewsHub