Ariana Grande withdraws from London production of "Sunday in the Park with George"
The singer announced she will not appear in the upcoming Barbican Centre staging of Stephen Sondheim's musical, citing a need for a break from public scrutiny after completing her tour.
Ariana Grande has withdrawn from the planned London production of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George" at the Barbican Centre, which had been scheduled for 2027. Empire Street Productions confirmed the change, saying the show will proceed as planned with new casting to be announced later.
Grande's representatives indicated that she intends to step back from public engagements after finishing her Eternal Sunshine Tour, describing the decision as a response to the "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" surrounding her appearance and health. The tour is set to conclude in London on September 1.
The artist has previously addressed criticism of her looks, including lyrics in her 2024 song "Yes, And?" and a 2023 TikTok video urging kindness toward those facing personal challenges. Grande rose to fame as a child performer on Nickelodeon before releasing her debut album in 2013, and has earned three Grammy Awards and an Academy Award nomination for a supporting role in the film adaptation of "Wicked."