Ariana Grande has pulled out of a planned West End appearance as she prepares to step away from the spotlight after her tour, following what her team described as relentless public attention surrounding her appearance.
The 33-year-old American pop star and actress is currently performing on tour in the UK, with plans to take a break from public-facing work once the run concludes in London on September 1.
Grande had been expected to return to the London stage opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in Sunday In The Park with George, but her representative has now confirmed she is no longer attached to the production.
A spokesperson for Ariana told PEOPLE: “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.
“She is focused on bringing the tour to a joyful and healthy close, ending it on a high note before taking a well-earned pause from public appearances and professional commitments that keep her in the glare of constant scrutiny.”
The representative added: “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Ariana Grande has withdrawn from her upcoming West End role as she plans a break after her tour, amid ongoing public scrutiny over her appearance
Ariana Grande’s appearance has attracted renewed discussion in recent months, particularly after the release of her new music video, Petal
A source close to Ariana explained that Ariana’s tour involves a very physical and athletic performance which she performs at a healthy and high level.
A statement from the producers of Sunday in the Park with George, Empire Street Productions, read: ‘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.
‘We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support.
‘We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.’
Ariana’s appearance has come under scrutiny in recent months, especially following the release of her new music video, Petal.
She has publicly insisted that she’s healthy but that didn’t stop fans from pointing out how incredibly gaunt she looks in the violent music video.
In the bizarre clip, Ariana plays the character of Pepper, an aspiring starlet who attends multiple auditions in a bid to become famous.
After failing yet another audition, a group of studio bigwigs brand Ariana ‘unmarketable’, ‘unattractive’, and ‘inauthentic’, before accusing her of having a personality disorder.
‘We miss the old you,’ one tells her. ‘Maybe you could go out and find her and come back and give it another shot?’
Ariana leaves, only to return moments later with a chainsaw, which she uses to violently dismember the men.
She has publicly insisted that she’s healthy but that didn’t stop fans from pointing out how incredibly gaunt she looks in the violent music video
In the bizarre clip, Ariana plays the character of Pepper, an aspiring starlet who attends multiple auditions in a bid to become famous
Now drenched in blood, she returns to the waiting room, only to receive a round of rapturous applause from the other female auditionees.
Despite the clever social commentary in the video, many fans were more distracted by Ariana’s weight than anything else.
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‘This is like looking at Karen Carpenter and everyone was like [shrug],’ wrote one fan.
‘I am actually so over us normalizing this and acting like this is okay,’ wrote a second.
‘Shocking and heartbreaking’, wrote a third, while a fourth added, ‘For the love of God, please eat something.’
Another wrote, ‘Her bones are literally popping out.’
Despite the concerned comments, other fans defended the singer and said that it was inappropriate to comment on her physical appearance.
‘If y’all actually cared about her you wouldn’t be publicly making comments about her body,’ argued one.
Fans were shocked by the star’s appearance, with many comparing her to the late singer Karen Carpenter
Ariana murders a group of businessmen with a chainsaw in the disturbing video
‘The irony of all the girls over 200 pounds saying she’s “unhealthy.” You think being 200 pounds is healthy? Good lord, the jealousy is screaming from you guys!’ wrote another.
Ariana released her eighth studio album, Petal, on Friday.
Concerns were raised about whether Sunday In The Park With George was going ahead when ticket sales were halted earlier this summer.
At the time it was suggested that Ariana was still planning to appear in the show next summer, before later backing out.
There were said to be growing fears that Ariana, who had just kicked off her Eternal Sunshine tour in America, was ‘oversubscribed’.
Ariana, who is now back with her ex-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, had also just split from her boyfriend of three years Ethan Slater, after meeting on the set of Wicked.
Ariana was slated to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in her hotly anticipated West End debut at the Barbican Centre.
Concerns around her appearance in her revival of Stephen Sondheim’s show were sparked after ticket sales were delayed until autumn.
A source close to Ariana’s camp confirmed to the Daily Mail at the time: ‘There’s no doubt she’s still doing it.’
Concerns were raised about whether Sunday In The Park With George was going ahead when ticket sales were halted earlier this summer
They added: ‘The show is still happening but ticket sales were pushed to September due to her touring and album release schedule.’
A source previously had told the Sun,: ‘Ariana has a lot on her plate and there are concerns she is over-subscribed.
‘It’s too risky to start flogging tickets until it’s all locked down. It will be a demanding production with eight shows a week.’
Ariana proved her acting chops after playing Glinda in the two-part film adaptation of Wicked, opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba.
She will also take to the small screen in the 13th series of American Horror Story.
Ariana appears to be shifting her focus to acting despite her current tour as she told fans: ‘I’m very excited to do this small tour. But I think it might not happen again for a long, long time.’
