Ariana Grande has announced that she will be stepping back from public-facing work after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour, confirming she has also withdrawn from an upcoming London theatre production alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.

The singer had been due to star in a 2027 revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George at London's Barbican Theatre, marking what would have been a major return to the stage following the success of Wicked. However, producers confirmed over the weekend that Grande will no longer be part of the production, saying they fully understand and support her decision.

According to a statement from her representative, Grande intends to finish the remainder of her world tour before taking "a much-deserved break" from public-facing commitments. The decision comes after an intense period in the spotlight, with the singer facing months of online discussion surrounding her appearance and wellbeing.

A representative for Grande told PEOPLE magazine, “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,” Tthe rep continues. “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”

The announcement follows the release of Grande's latest album, Petal, and its accompanying music video, which many fans interpreted as a commentary on the relentless scrutiny she has experienced throughout her career. In the visual, Grande portrays an aspiring performer whose appearance is repeatedly criticised by a panel of judges, a storyline widely viewed as reflecting the real-life conversations that have surrounded the singer in recent years.

The topic of body image is not new for Grande. Over the years, she has repeatedly spoken out against the public's fixation on people's appearances, previously urging people to be kinder and less comfortable commenting on others' bodies. Those conversations intensified again this year as clips and photos from the Eternal Sunshine Tour circulated widely across social media, prompting renewed speculation about her health despite no indication from Grande that she was unable to perform.

Her representative stressed that the singer has loved every moment of the tour and wants to bring it to a close "healthily and happily" before taking time away from the spotlight. Grande's final run of shows includes a 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena, where the tour is scheduled to conclude on 1 September.