Ariana Grande to Pause Public Activities After Tour, Withdraws from West End Production
Pop star Ariana Grande announced she will step back from public engagements following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour and has withdrawn from the West End revival of "Sunday in the Park with George."
Ariana Grande will take a break from public appearances after finishing her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which ends in London on September 1. A spokesperson told People that Grande wants to complete the tour "healthily and happily" before stepping back from visibility, citing the intense scrutiny she has faced.
The decision was confirmed by the producers of the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George," which had slated Grande to star opposite Jonathan Bailey. The theatre's official accounts said Grande's team announced her withdrawal and that the production will proceed with a replacement to be named later.
Grande's latest album, "Petal," was released days earlier. She promoted the record on Instagram with stills from the music video for the title track but did not comment on her upcoming hiatus.
The singer has previously spoken out about body-shaming and online criticism, urging people to be more compassionate. Her representative did not specify whether the current scrutiny relates to her appearance.
Grande's Eternal Sunshine tour, her first in seven years, has sold out all remaining dates, including three shows in Chicago and ten final performances in London. She is slated to return to acting with the comedy film "Focker In-Law," scheduled for release on November 25.