American pop superstar Ariana Grande will be stepping back from the public eye after her “Eternal Sunshine” tour concludes in September.
According to a report by People, a representative for the Grammy-winning singer said Grande plans to take a “much-deserved break” from the public as scrutiny over her health and appearance continues to intensify.
“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,” the representative told the publication.
The source added that Grande has cherished every moment of the tour and remains grateful for the support of her fans.
“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much,” the statement read.
A source close to the singer also told People that Ariana performs “a very physical show” with “a lot of athleticism involved,” noting that she has been executing them “healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”
Amid her planned hiatus, Grande has also withdrawn from the upcoming West End revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Sunday in the Park with George.”
The stint was scheduled to premiere at London’s Barbican Centre where she would star opposite her “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey.
Addressing her exit from the production, a source representing the singer said Grande “cannot wait to support the brilliant team bringing this project to life.”
Following reports of her planned break, the “thank u, next” hitmaker personally addressed fans during a four-minute speech at her concert in Chicago.
“Sometimes when a story comes out that’s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion,” Grande said, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times. “So I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much.”
Grande clarified that her decision to step away from the spotlight was neither “reactive” nor an “impulsive” move, but something she had planned a long time ago.
“It is something that I had decided. It’s a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” she affirmed. “I want you to know that many, many things can be true at the same time.”
She also reassured fans that public criticism and online negativity were not driving her decision, saying, “I want to share this because I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say, that could not be more the f*cking opposite.”
“This is not what that is and I just want to make that very, very clear. Nothing can be ruined. Multiple things can be true at the same time. Boundaries can need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes. And also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.”
Grande ended her message by expressing gratitude for her fans, saying their love has remained louder than any outside noise.
“No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me, or louder to me, than this love that we share, or than how it feels to make art with the people that I love and respect,” she said.
Ending her speech, Ariana described the tour as the “most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience” for her as well as the release of her latest album, “petal.”
“It’s been extraordinary. I wish that words were enough to articulate just how much I love you all,” her speech concluded.
