Ariana Grande has spoken out on her decision to take a break from public life at the end of her tour, calling it a decision she made “quietly, a long time ago”.

The singer, 33, read from a prepared note while performing at Chicago’s United Center on Monday (3 August), telling her fans: “The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided to plan.”

Hinting at the ongoing discourse around her health and body she’s faced in recent years, which intensified during her press tours for Wicked, Grande said: “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 said the tour is “one of the most healing, beautiful, correct and special experiences” of her life, adding that reading the note “felt good”.

The singer’s representative revealed the day before that she will be “taking a step back from visibility” following the completion of her Eternal Sunshine tour in London on 1 September.

“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,” they told People magazine.

This means that Grande will also no longer appear in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, which was set to open at London's Barbican Centre next summer. Grande was due to star opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.

The Barbican Theatre wished her “nothing but the best” following the announcement.

It’s also believed Grande will not be promoting comedy sequel Focker-In-Law, due for release in November. The new Meet the Parents film was shot last year.

Grande rose to prominence playing Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon television shows Victorious and Sam & Cat. Her hit songs include “Break Free” and "thank u, next". In 2025, she received an Oscar nomination for playing Glinda in the film adaptation of the musicalWicked.

News of Grande’s break from the public eye comes days after the release of her eighth studio album, Petal, which reignited comments on her body and health.

Late last year, during the press tour for sequel Wicked: For Good, she issued a “loving reminder” to her fans and others to think before they comment on peoples’ appearance..

On her Instagram Story, she reshared her 2024 interview with French internet personality Sally Poumbga, in which she was asked about beauty standards.

“I’ve been a specimen in a petri-dish since I was 17, so I’ve heard it all,” Grande said. “I’ve heard ‘what’s wrong’ with me, and then you fix it, and then it’s wrong for different reasons.

“I think in today’s society there’s 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,” she explained. “I think it’s dangerous, for both parties involved.”

For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article, eating disorder charity Beat’s helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040