Ariana Grande steps back from public life, exits Sondheim musical
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
Ariana Grande's team has confirmed she will step back from public-facing work once her Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes on 1 September, and has also withdrawn from the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park With George", in which she was due to star opposite Jonathan Bailey. Her representative cited "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" as the reason, indicating the break extends well beyond the end of touring into her wider stage and screen commitments.
Grande's team said she wants to finish the tour "on a high note" before taking "a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances", while stressing how much she has enjoyed the tour and her fans. The scrutiny is thought to relate partly to online commentary about her weight following the release of her "Petal" music video, and comes after Grande's rise to A-list status via 2024's "Wicked", which earned her an Oscar nomination and led into the hit sequel "Wicked: For Good". The timing is notable because Grande is due to star in Universal's "Focker-in-Law" alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller, released just before Thanksgiving, which would typically demand a high-profile promotional tour; Universal has not said whether Grande's planned break will affect that press campaign.
- Grande to step back from public life after tour ends 1 September
- She has also exited the West End's "Sunday in the Park With George"
- Unclear if break will affect promotion for "Focker-in-Law" film
More coverage
- Deadline — Ariana Grande Exits West End’s ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ Revival Amid “Ongoing Public Scrutiny”
- Rolling Stone — Ariana Grande Taking a ‘Step Back’ When Tour Ends, Rep Says
- The Hollywood Reporter — Ariana Grande to “Step Back From Visibility” After Tour Ends Amid “Ongoing Public Scrutiny”
- BBC Entertainment — Ariana Grande pulls out of musical for break from 'endless' scrutiny
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Originally published by Variety as “Ariana Grande to Take ‘Step Back From Visibility’ After Tour Ends Amid ‘Public Scrutiny,’ Drops Out of ‘Sunday in the Park With George’ Musical”.