In brief
Singer Ariana Grande confirmed she will withdraw from public life once her Eternal Sunshine tour concludes in September, citing the toll of relentless media scrutiny. The 33‑year‑old will not take part in the Barbican revival of Stephen Sondheim’s "Sunday in the Park with George," which had originally featured her alongside Wicked co‑star Jonathan Bailey. Her decision follows the release of her new album "Petal" and continues speculation about her appearance and health. Grande’s representatives promised a "high‑note, healthy finish" to the tour before taking a break from public-facing work.
Pop icon Ariana Grande has announced that she will step back from the public eye once her Eternal Sunshine tour finishes, citing the strain of ongoing media scrutiny and the need for a full recovery.
The 33‑year‑old will no longer appear in the Barbican’s revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, a production originally scheduled to tour West End in 2027. Empire Street Productions confirmed that Grande’s withdrawal was made with understanding and support from the theatre company. She was slated to perform alongside Wicked star Jonathan Bailey in the role originally written for the duo.
Grande’s representative told People magazine that she was looking forward to finishing the tour "on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much‑deserved break from public‑facing work and appearances that have led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny." They added that the singer is "very physically demanding in her shows," and enjoys performing at a high level night after night.
The final concert of the Eternal Sunshine tour will take place on 1 September in London, marking the end of a successful run that started in late summer. With her latest album "Petal" released just two days ago, the singer’s appearance and health have become the subject of speculation, amplified by the music video for her lead single, in which she battles critics using a chainsaw.
No replacement has been named for Grande in the upcoming West End production, and the theatre company is currently searching for a suitable performer. Angelique leaves the stage at a time when her fans emphasize a desire for healthier engagement with her artistry.
