AHS Creator Ryan Murphy Reacts to Ariana Grande's Season 13 Exit

Ariana Grande Breaks Her Silence on Stepping Back From the Public Eye After TourRyan Murphy is leaving the door to the haunted house open for this scream queen. Indeed, the American Horror Story creator has no hard feelings over Ariana Grande’s exit from season 13 of the long-running anthology series. In fact, he extended an invitation for the “petal” singer to join the show another time. “She was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to juggle the tour with this,’” Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Aug. 6. “And I said, ‘OK, if you can’t, we can push to another season.’ She said, ‘Great.’” Praising the 33-year-old as a “great friend,” he kept the details about her role scarce, although he admitted it was a “very big swing.” “I might bring that back for another season, per Ariana’s availability,” he teased. “I think the world of her.” Looking back at their time working together on Scream Queens, Murphy, 60, was eager to collaborate with Grande again. “Ariana is a big fan of horror,” he shared. “She’s obviously done homages of that in her work; she did Scream Queens for me and loved the experience, and people love her in that show. So I will always work with her.”Those homages continued in her latest music video for “petal,” the title track for her eighth studio album that dropped on July 31. In the blood-soaked visual, Grande executes a chainsaw massacre of entertainment industry executives who pick her apart. And art imitated life in a sense, as the “positions” artist announced a break from the public eye shortly after the release of her new album, citing widespread scrutiny toward her health. Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesExplaining her decision during her Chicago concert on Aug. 3, she said, “The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided to plan, that I had quietly made a long time ago.” Noting that “multiple things can be true” at once, the Wicked star shared the mixed emotions she felt at this stage of her career. "Boundaries can need to be set,” she continued. “Human beings can need a break sometimes. And also this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional career." Keep reading to see how Grande has bloomed from just a petal in the pavement…Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesGlam GirlAriana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesDarling DivaThe 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 ImagesRadiant in RedAriana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards in her red Dolce & Gabbana dress.Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion WeekVintage VibesServing fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.Mark Davis/Getty ImagesRay of SunshineThe "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 ImagesDashing in BlackAriana 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 NARASWhite-HotWearing 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 ImagesEffortlessly ElegantBeaming 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 ImagesVision in WhiteThe 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 ImagesPenchant for PantsuitsDitching 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 ImagesOversized OverallsAriana 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 ImagesRoyal BluesAriana 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 ImagesGod Is a WomanAriana 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 iHeartMediaCotton Candy DreamAriana 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 BillboardLavender "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 AcademySIlver SirenNot 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.InstagramCurly SueAriana said thank u, next to her signature high pony by sharing a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.Instagram13 Going on 30The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.InstagramBlonde BeautyOne short day in October 2022, the Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look. David Swanson/AFP via Getty ImagesWickedly GoodAriana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.Gotham/Getty ImagesGoddess of the GardenFor 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 ImagesAn Enchanting EveningWhile 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/WireImageOscars ReadyIn 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 ImagesGorgeous GownDaydreamin' of the details for Ariana's dress for the 2026 Golden Globes? The beautiful black dress was a Vivienne Westwood design.For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App