Ariana Grande will withdraw from public appearances and will no longer star in an upcoming musical production in London when she finishes her Eternal Sunshine tour. A representative for the US singer, 33, told People magazine that she “will be taking a step back from visibility” when the tour ends next month after her appearances led to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
The company behind a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, due to play at the Barbican in 2027, confirmed that she would no longer be part of the production and had its “complete understanding and support”. Grande's physical apperance and health have been a topic of speculation in recent years.
This speculation has increased since the release of her latest album, Petal, two days ago and her appearance in promotional material for it. Her representative stressed to People that Grande looked forward to finishing her tour “on a high note, both healthily and happily”.
They added: “She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved. She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”
The Thank U, Next and 7 Rings singer was billed to appear alongside her Wicked co-star, British actor Jonathan Bailey in the new production of Sondheim's critically acclaimed 1984 musical.
A representative for Empire Street Productions confirmed to the BBC that the musical would go ahead without Grande.
“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,” they said.
“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 BBC has approached Grande's representatives.
What is happening with Ariana Grande’s public appearances?
Ariana Grande is stepping back from visibility after her Eternal Sunshine tour ends next month. Her representative said the move comes after “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” linked to her appearances and that she plans to withdraw from public appearances for a period.
Why is she leaving the London musical?
Grande will no longer star in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican in 2027. The production company said it fully understood and supported her decision, and confirmed that the musical will still go ahead without her.
What has her representative said about her health and the tour?
Her representative said Grande wants to finish the tour “on a high note, both healthily and happily”. They also said: “She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved. She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”
Who else was due to appear in the production?
Grande was billed to appear alongside her Wicked co-star, British actor Jonathan Bailey, in the new production of Sondheim's critically acclaimed 1984 musical.
Why has speculation around Grande increased recently?
Speculation about Grande's physical apperance and health has grown in recent years, and it has increased again since the release of her latest album, Petal, two days ago and her appearance in promotional material for it.
The BBC has approached Grande's representatives.
Key Facts
- Ariana Grande will step back from public appearances after her Eternal Sunshine tour ends next month.
- She will no longer star in Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican in 2027.
- The production company said it had her “complete understanding and support”.
- Grande was due to appear with Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
- Her representative said she wants to finish the tour “on a high note, both healthily and happily”.
