Ariana Grande Breaks Silence on Plans to Step Back From the Spotlight
Ariana Grande Breaks Her Silence on Stepping Back From the Public Eye After Tour
Ariana Grande is saying thank u, next to her latest chapter.
After the “Thank U, Next” hitmaker’s rep shared that she’ll be taking time away from the public eye following the final stop in her Eternal Sunshine Tour Sept. 1, Grande spoke out about the time off.
“The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing,” Grande said at her Chicago concert Aug. 3. "It is something that I had decided to plan, that I had quietly made a long time ago.”
Following online scrutiny, Grande denied that "negativity was ruining things" for her, and explained she made the decision from a "thoughtful and empowered place."
"Multiple things can be true at the same time," she said. "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 career."
“No matter what noises exist out there," she continued, "nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or louder to me as this love that we share."
Just a day earlier, the Grammy winner’s rep shared that Grande, whose recent appearances has led to public concern about her health, would be stepping away from the spotlight in the coming months.
"Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” Grande’s rep told E! News in a statement August 2. “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.”
And while the 41-stop tour, which ends in September, is a heavy lift for any artist, the “One Last Time” singer’s fans made every show worth it.
“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her,” the statement added. “She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
And even with a physically demanding set, a source close to Grande told E! News that she “performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
But music won’t be the only project she’s pressing pause on. Indeed, the team behind the upcoming West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George confirmed she’d be stepping away from the production, too.
“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the team wrote on social media August 2. “We wish her nothing but the best.”
However, the musical—which would have seen Grande reunite with her Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey—will still open at London’s the Barbican in the summer of 2027, with the statement adding that “casting will be announced in due course.”
Just days before the 33-year-old announced her upcoming break, she released her eighth studio album Petal along with the music video for the project's leading single.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
While Grande’s appearance in the music video further fueled ongoing concerns about her well-being, the insider emphasized that her album “is a fight song, an anthem about the love-hate relationship with the public and their toxicity.”
Indeed, the “Eternal Sunshine” singer has been vocal about the challenges she’s faced while living her life in the spotlight.
"I've been doing this in front of the public, and kind of been a specimen in a petri-dish since I was 16 or 17," the Nickelodeon alum said in a December 2024 interview with web series Oui Oui Baguette. "So, I have heard it all. I've heard every version of it, of what's wrong with me. And then you fix it, and then it's wrong for different reasons."
“It’s hard to protect yourself from that noise,” she continued at the time, “and I think it's something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you're experiencing it on.”
Read on to see her red carpet moments through the years.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Glam Girl
Ariana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Darling Diva
The Sam & Cat star stunned in a charming white mini-dress at the 2011 Grammy Awards. She paired her simple, yet striking outfit with sparkly gold heels and dainty jewelry pieces.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Radiant in Red
Ariana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards in her red Dolce & Gabbana dress.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Vintage Vibes
Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.
Mark Davis/Getty Images
Ray of Sunshine
The "Dangerous Woman" singer made a splash at the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Matching the orange carpet, Grande wore a vibrant mini-dress and paired it with white pumps and a whimsical clutch.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Dashing in Black
Ariana oozed with old Hollywood glamour at the 2014 American Music Awards. She opted for a floor-length black lace gown from MT Costello.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS
White-Hot
Wearing a white gown with silver lamé mesh at the 2015 Grammy Awards, Ariana shined as bright as the flashing lights on the red carpet.
Todd Williamson/Getty Images
Effortlessly Elegant
Beaming in a floral beaded, peplum mini-dress at the 2015 American Music Awards, Ariana stunned in this statement-making piece from Giambattista Valli.
Neil P. Mockford/GC Images
Vision in White
The Grammy winner waved as she arrived at her 2015 KISS FM appearance in a white ensemble, matching heels and hair buns.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Penchant for Pantsuits
Ditching the usual dress at the 2016 American Music Awards, the "Problem" artist opted for a sexy corset top and elegant white pants.
CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images
Oversized Overalls
Ariana rocked a funky fresh outfit at the 2016 Hairspray Live! press junket. She sizzled in oversized overalls, a bralette and a bedazzled choker necklace.
David Becker/Getty Images
Royal Blues
Ariana brought the heat to the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Her Atelier Versace dress highlighted her playful side with its unique cut-out design and bright colors.
John Shearer/Getty Images
God Is a Woman
Ariana took fans to church with her Sistine Chapel-inspired dress at the 2018 Met Gala. Megan McCluskey designed the gown in keeping with event's theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Cotton Candy Dream
Ariana looked like a cotton candy dream in her pastel pink ensemble at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango event. Giving us '90s nostalgia, she rocked platinum sneakers, matching ankle socks and an oversized sweater that states, "girls girls girls."
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Billboard
Lavender "Loofah"
The "7 Rings" singer looked regal and elegant in her custom Christian Siriano dress, which she perfectly dubbed the "loofah of the year" lewk. Of course, she tied her outfit together by wearing her signature thigh-high boots.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
SIlver Siren
Not only did the pop star turn heads with two outfit changes at the 2020 Grammys red carpet, but her platinum blonde pony was all anyone could talk about at the time.
Curly Sue
Ariana said thank u, next to her signature high pony by sharing a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.
13 Going on 30
The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.
Blonde Beauty
One short day in October 2022, the Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look.
David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images
Wickedly Good
Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.
Gotham/Getty Images
Goddess of the Garden
For the 2024 Met Gala, which had a "Garden of Time" dress code to celebrate the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit, Ariana wore an ethereal white gown from Loewe featuring a mother of pearl bodice—a nod to her birthstone—and long chiffon skirt.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
An Enchanting Evening
While Ariana had several magical outfits throughout both Wicked press tours, this Custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture gown she wore to the 2025 Wicked: For Good premiere in New York—made with 200 meters of silk organza and tulle divided into 20 ruffles—was particularly popular.
Arturo Holmes/WireImage
Oscars Ready
In fact, she wore the same designer for her first Academy Award nomination at the 2025 Oscars. She truly shimmered as the pink satin duchess and nude tulle number featured more than 190,000 crystal sequins, rhinestones and beads.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Gorgeous Gown
Daydreamin' of the details for Ariana's dress for the 2026 Golden Globes? The beautiful black dress was a Vivienne Westwood design.
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