Ariana Grande has addressed her upcoming break from public life directly, telling fans in Chicago that the decision was made "a long time ago" and was not a reaction to negative press. Speaking during the first of three shows at Chicago's United Center on Monday night, she said the choice was "thoughtful and empowered" and insisted that setting boundaries did not contradict her love of touring, describing the "Eternal Sunshine" tour as "the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience" of her career.

The clarification followed her representative's confirmation on Sunday that Grande would step back from public-facing work once the tour concludes, a move that coincided with news she is dropping out of the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park With George" and came just two days after the release of her new album "Petal", whose title-track video drew scrutiny over her appearance. Her representative said she intends to finish the tour "on a high note", which wraps up on 1 September at London's O2 Arena.