Ariana Grande Stepping Back From Public Eye After Tour

Ariana Grande is putting her health first. Following an intense lineup of back-to-back projects, the 33-year-old singer plans to step away from public life once her Eternal Sunshine tour finishes in London this September. 

The decision comes after the July 31 release of her “Petal” music video, which led to widespread online commentary about her physical appearance. A spokesperson for Grande confirmed to People that she’s taking an extended hiatus to recharge.

“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” her representative shared, adding that Grande “loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”

Grande has also decided not to move forward with her starring role in next summer’s West End production of Sunday in the Park with George. 

While stepping back from major career opportunities is difficult, the physical demand of juggling back-to-back projects (like filming Wicked while performing live) makes the decision understandable. “She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved,” a source close to Grande told People. “She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”

Public debate over a celebrity’s physical appearance carries real weight. Though commentary is often framed as concern over eating disorders or physical health, experts warn that dissecting someone’s body online (even out of concern) can strip a person of their privacy and project toxic standards onto the audience watching.

Grande has called out this kind of commentary before, reminding people that uninvited opinions about a person’s body — no matter the intent — aren’t helpful.

“I think in today’s society, there is a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all commenting on others’ looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves,” Grande shared in a past interview. “From what you’re wearing to your body to your face to your everything — there’s a comfortability that people have commenting on that that I think is really dangerous.”

It’s a message she spelled out in her single “yes, and?”: “Don’t comment on my body, do not reply / Your business is yours and mine is mine.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, confidential support is available through the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or by texting “NEDA” to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support.