Ariana Grande was overcome with emotion Tuesday night as she bid farewell to fans during the final performance of her “Eternal Sunshine Tour,” marking the end of the run ahead of her planned step back from the spotlight.
The 33-year-old “thank u, next” hitmaker closed the 41-date tour at London’s O2 Arena, finishing a 10-night stint in the city following earlier stops across the US and Montreal.
“This has been one of the most beautiful, extraordinary experiences of my life and I just want to express my gratitude without sobbing completely,” Grande told the crowd through tears, according to footage shared by Pop Base on X.
“But really, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s been so special, and I’ll cherish this experience always,” she added. “I have the best fans in the entire world, and I always have.”
Grande also took a moment to celebrate her supporters, applauding the detailed outfits and heartfelt messages they brought to the shows throughout the tour.
“I love your outfits, I love your faces, I love seeing you, I love connecting with you in this way,” she said.
“Thank you for all of your effort for making this so special. All your messages and your costumes and your wardrobe and makeup is just so beautiful.”
“I have loved every minute of this with you all and I just want to make sure I express how grateful I am,” she added before telling the crowd, “Thank you and I love you so much.”
In August, Grande’s rep confirmed that the pop star would be “taking a step back from visibility” once the tour ended.
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“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 rep said.
The announcement came as Grande faced brutal criticism over her weight loss, particularly following the July 31 release of her “Petal” music video.
Grande later told fans that the decision was not made suddenly.
“The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided to plan,” she said during a Chicago concert, adding that she had planned it “quietly, a long time ago.”
She has also dropped out of the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George,” which had been scheduled to open in London next summer.
Offstage, Grande recently made headlines for rekindling her romance with Ricky Alvarez, 34, her former boyfriend from 2015 to 2016.
Page Six reported in July that the pair had gotten back together following her split from Ethan Slater, 34, after three years together.
Grande appeared to confirm the relationship last month, when she shared photos from London showing off new ink on her clavicle that appeared to read “I do love you.”
Alvarez has the same words tattooed near his left collarbone, though his is in a different font.