After a year defined by high-profile professional milestones and intense media attention, 33-year-old pop star and actress Ariana Grande is preparing to step away from the public eye. A representative for the singer confirmed the decision in a statement shared on Aug. 2, noting that Grande intends to take a break from public-facing work and appearances once her current concert obligations are fulfilled.
The past year has been exceptionally busy for the artist, involving the promotion of her second "Wicked" film, the release of her eighth studio album, her first concert tour in six years, and the conclusion of a three-year relationship. According to the statement, Grande is focused on finishing her current tour on a high note, both healthily and happily, before embarking on a much-deserved hiatus. The representative emphasized that the decision to step back is a response to the "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" she has faced.
The "Eternal Sunshine Tour" has been a significant undertaking for the singer. The 41-date tour is set to conclude with a 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena, with the final performance scheduled for Sept. 1. Before reaching London, Grande will wrap up the first leg of the tour on Aug. 6, following a two-month run across North America. The statement from her representative highlighted that the tour has been a "beautiful experience" for the singer, who has cherished the time spent with her fans.
Beyond the tour, multiple outlets including People, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline have reported that Grande will withdraw from her planned West End debut. She had been scheduled to star in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George" next summer alongside her "Wicked" costar Jonathan Bailey.
Grande’s decision follows a period of persistent speculation regarding her private life. This includes her quiet breakup with "Wicked" costar Ethan Slater earlier this year and her decision to alter the lyrics of her song "Thank U, Next" during tour performances to reference an ex-boyfriend. Throughout this time, she has also been the subject of intense commentary regarding her physical appearance.
This scrutiny is not new for the star. During the promotional cycle for "Wicked: For Good" last winter, Grande and her costars, Cynthia Erivo and Michelle Yeoh, faced significant social media commentary that focused on their appearances and made assumptions about their health. Grande has previously spoken out against such behavior, including in November 2025, when she shared a "loving reminder to all" by reposting a clip from a December 2024 interview. In that discussion with Salima Jeanne Poumbga, known professionally as Sally, the Nickelodeon alumna emotionally described feeling like she had been a "specimen in a petri dish" since her teenage years.
During that interview, Grande explained that she had heard every possible version of what people believed was wrong with her, noting that once she addressed one critique, the narrative would simply shift to something else. She characterized the public's comfort in commenting on others' looks, health, and personal presentation as "really dangerous" for all parties involved.
