Ariana Grande has clarified that her decision to step back from public life after her Eternal Sunshine Tour was made long before recent speculation about her health and appearance, telling fans the break was a carefully considered choice rather than a reaction to public scrutiny.
The singer addressed the issue during her concert at Chicago’s United Center on Monday 3 August 2026, just one day after her team confirmed she would take a break from public-facing work and withdraw from the West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George.
Ariana Grande tells fans her decision was “not a reactive thing”
Speaking directly to the audience midway through the show, Grande said the announcement had been misunderstood and wanted to reassure fans who were concerned about the reasons behind her hiatus.
“So basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know many things can be true at the same time. 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 fuck opposite. Honestly, this is not what that is.
And I just want to be very, very clear: Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries, they 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.”
“Boundaries need to be set”
Grande also thanked fans for their support throughout the tour, saying the connection she shares with audiences has outweighed any outside criticism.
“No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or elaborate to me than this love that we share.
The rest of that shit is not mine to carry, so I don’t carry it. I need to get out here and differentiate that from my truth for you all because I love you and this tour has been the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life.”
The speech was met with cheers from the crowd before Grande continued the concert.
Hiatus begins after Eternal Sunshine Tour
Grande’s representative confirmed on Sunday that the singer will take a break from public appearances once the Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes.
“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.
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 announcement also confirmed that Grande will no longer appear in the West End production of Sunday in the Park with George, which is scheduled to open at London’s Barbican Centre next year.
Tour continues before planned break
Grande released her latest album, Petal, on 31 July, with the title track arriving alongside a new music video.
The Eternal Sunshine Tour continues with two more concerts in Chicago before heading to London’s O2 Arena, where the final shows of the tour will take place. The tour is scheduled to conclude on 1 September.
Despite stepping back from public appearances, Grande is still set to appear on screen later this year in Focker-in-Law, alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro.
