During an electrifying concert on Monday evening, Ariana Grande took a moment to address her audience and shed light on her decision to step back from the public eye after the conclusion of her “Eternal Sunshine” tour.
“Can we get a little real tonight?” Ariana asked the crowd at the Chicago performance, as captured in a video that’s making waves across social media platforms like X.
In a heartfelt four-minute speech, which she had thoughtfully composed on her phone, the 33-year-old megastar clarified that the announcement made the previous day was far from being a knee-jerk reaction. Instead, it had been exaggerated by online speculation.
Expanding on her decision, the singer-actress shared that it was a carefully considered, empowering choice she had made quietly some time ago, dismissing the narrative that it was influenced by recent events.
She firmly debunked rumors swirling around, stating that negativity on the internet isn’t affecting her well-being or decisions, putting such assumptions firmly to rest.
“No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or not as real to me as this love that we share,” Grande insisted, dubbing the tour “one of the most healing, beautiful, correct and special experiences” she’s ever had.
“That felt good,” the “Wicked” star concluded said before resuming the United Center performance. “I wish that words were enough to articulate how much I love you.”
Over the weekend, Grande’s rep announced that the Grammy winner will be “taking a step back from visibility” when her “Eternal Sunshine” tour wraps.
“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 spokesperson explained, referencing online chatter regarding Grande’s weight following the release of her “Petal” music video.
“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her,” the statement continued. “She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Page Six exclusively reported that Grande is bowing out because “she’s been overworked.”
We hear, “She’s been nonstop and it’s taking a toll. She’s never handled the public scrutiny well and constant chatter about her weight [doesn’t help].”
A second insider told us Grande is taking a break because she was hurt by the “nonstop public scrutiny” more than a heavy work schedule.
The “Thank U, Next” hitmaker had been set to star in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George” opposite her “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey next summer, but has now pulled out.
The musical’s producers acknowledged her withdrawal via social media on Sunday.
“Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from ‘Sunday in the Park with George,’” read a statement shared by the musical’s official X account. “We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support.”
The former Nickelodeon star has previously hit back at chatter around her body.
In her song “Yes, And?” off her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine, Grande sings, “My face is sitting, I don’t need no disguise / Don’t comment on my body, do not reply / Your business is yours, and mine is mine.”
Her decision to “step back” comes on the heels of Grande’s split from ex-boyfriend Ethan Slater after three years of dating.
Last month, Page Six confirmed she is back together with her ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez.