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Ariana Grande Stepping Back After Tour Amid "Public Scrutiny" Over Health
Ariana Grande is tapping an understudy.
Just hours after the “petal” singer’s team shared she’d be temporarily exiting the public eye following the end of her Eternal Sunshine tour in September, the team behind the upcoming West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George confirmed she’d be stepping away from the production, too.
“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the team wrote on social media August 2. “We wish her nothing but the best.”
The note also noted that the musical—which would have seen Grande reunite with her Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey—will still open at London’s the Barbican in the summer of 2027 and that casting will be announced in time.
As concern has grown in recent months over Grande’s health, her rep announced that the 33-year-old—whose movie Focker-In-Law comes out in November—planned to take a break from life in the spotlight after her Eternal Sunshine tour completes its 41-stop run on Sept. 1.
“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily,” her rep told E! News, “and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
The statement noted that the tour "has been a beautiful experience for her” and that “she loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Which is why she’s been determined to defy gravity every time she steps onto the stage.
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As a source close to Grande told E! News, the Nickelodeon alum “performs a very physical show” and does so “healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night,” adding that there is “a lot of athleticism involved.”
And though Grande will not be participating in the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, the insider added that she “cannot wait to support the brilliant team bringing this project to life.”
But while fans have expressed concern over the wellbeing and physical appearance of the Scream Queens alum—who recently rekindled a romance with Ricky Alvarez following her breakup with Ethan Slater—Grande has previously addressed the scrutiny over her body while living in the public eye.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
"I've been doing this in front of the public, and kind of been a specimen in a petri-dish since I was 16 or 17," she explained in a December 2024 interview with web series Oui Oui Baguette. "So, I have heard it all. I've heard every version of it, of what's wrong with me. And then you fix it, and then it's wrong for different reasons."
“It’s hard to protect yourself from that noise,” she continued at the time, “and I think it's something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you're experiencing it on.”
It’s a topic she explores in her new album petal, as well as the music video for the single of the same name: In the 6-minute music video, Grande violently kills music executives after they continuously tell her she’s not good enough no matter what changes she makes to her persona.
As a source close to Grande said of the album and project, petal “is a fight song, an anthem about the love-hate relationship with the public and their toxicity.”
For more of Grande over the years, read on.
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Glam Girl
Ariana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Darling Diva
The 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 Images
Radiant in Red
Ariana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards in her red Dolce & Gabbana dress.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Vintage Vibes
Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.
Mark Davis/Getty Images
Ray of Sunshine
The "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 Images
Dashing in Black
Ariana 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 NARAS
White-Hot
Wearing 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 Images
Effortlessly Elegant
Beaming 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 Images
Vision in White
The 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 Images
Penchant for Pantsuits
Ditching 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 Images
Oversized Overalls
Ariana 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 Images
Royal Blues
Ariana 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.
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God Is a Woman
Ariana 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 iHeartMedia
Cotton Candy Dream
Ariana 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 Billboard
Lavender "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 Academy
SIlver Siren
Not 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.
Curly Sue
Ariana said thank u, next to her signature high pony by sharing a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.
13 Going on 30
The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.
Blonde Beauty
One short day in October 2022, the Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look.
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Wickedly Good
Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.
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Goddess of the Garden
For 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 Images
An Enchanting Evening
While 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/WireImage
Oscars Ready
In 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 Images
Gorgeous Gown
Daydreamin' of the details for Ariana's dress for the 2026 Golden Globes? The beautiful black dress was a Vivienne Westwood design.
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