Ariana Grande announces she will ‘take step back’ from public life

and Alana Anderson Published August 2, 2026 8:50pm Updated August 3, 2026 7:28am Ariana Grande is ‘looking forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily’ (Picture: Jennifer Graylock/INSTARimages) Ariana Grande has announced she will be ‘taking a step back from visibility’ after her tour ends in London. The Thank U, Next singer will take a ‘much-deserved’ hiatus after wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine world tour in London this month. Her agents confirmed she will pull out of the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George. The superstar, 33, was due to tread the boards of the Barbican Centre next summer, alongside her former Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey. But a representative said: ‘Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. ‘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. Ariana will be taking a ‘step back from visibility’ (Picture: Getty) ‘This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. ‘She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.’ The Wicked star will still perform 10 shows at London’s O2 Arena, beginning on August 15 and running through to September 1 – one of the biggest arena residencies of the year. Her statement comes just days after her new album, Petal, was released to rave reviews. The Eternal Sunshine tour has been met with rave reviews (Picture: Katia Temkin for Ariana Grande) Grande has hit back at public comments on her body as fans grow increasingly concerned for the Grammy Award-winning singer’s health. In her song Yes, And? off her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine, Grande sings: ‘My face is sitting, I don’t need no disguise / Don’t comment on my body, do not reply / Your business is yours, and mine is mine.’ The London revival of Sunday In The Park With George will be recast. An Empire Street Productions spokesman said: ‘Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. ‘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 production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.’ Sunday in the Park with George will now be recast following Ariana’s decision to step back (Picture: Getty Images for Critics Choice Association) It had previously been rumoured earlier this year that Ariana would pull out of the musical after being ‘oversubscribed’. A source told The Sun: ‘Ariana has a lot on her plate and there are concerns she is oversubscribed.’ Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin They added: ‘It’s too risky to start flogging tickets until it’s all locked down. It will be a demanding production with eight shows a week.’ Arrow MORE: Ariana Grande takes ‘unscrupulous’ hackers to court over leaked music Arrow MORE: American Horror Story fans threaten to boycott show after ‘Ariana Grande drops out last minute’