Ariana Grande took a moment mid-concert in Chicago on Monday night to speak directly to her fans about her decision to step back from public life — and she was not holding back.

"The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing," the singer told the audience at Chicago's United Center during the first of three shows there. "It was something that I have decided. A plan that I had quietly made a long time ago. It was a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place."

Setting the Record Straight

The address came days after representatives for the 33-year-old confirmed she would be "taking a step back from visibility" when her Eternal Sunshine tour concludes on 1 September. The announcement, which first broke over the weekend via People magazine, cited "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" of her appearances as the driving force behind the decision.

But Grande was keen to ensure fans heard her version of events directly, rather than through the noise of speculation. "Sometimes when a story comes out that's not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion," she told the crowd, "so I wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much."

A woman with a long high ponytail wearing a strapless pale blue-grey tiered ruffle ballgown and matching elbow-length satin gloves, standing on a red carpet in front of a dark quilted backdrop displaying multiple Grammy Award trophies.
Ariana Grande made a showstopping appearance on the Grammy Awards red carpet, wearing a voluminous pale blue-grey strapless ballgown with tiered ruffles and matching satin gloves. The look became one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the ceremony.

She also pushed back against any suggestion that the negativity surrounding her had forced her hand, telling the audience: "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 far opposite. This is not what that is."

"Multiple things can be true at the same time. Boundaries 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."

West End Exit

Alongside the wider step back from public-facing work, Grande has also withdrawn from an eagerly anticipated West End production. She had been set to make her West End debut at London's Barbican Centre in a 2027 revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, appearing alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey. The production company, Empire Street Productions, confirmed her departure and said the show would go ahead without her, directed by Marianne Elliott, with further casting to be announced in due course.

A woman with blonde hair pulled back stands on a fog-covered stage wearing a strapless deep red sequined gown with a voluminous tulle skirt, holding a black glove in one hand, against a purple-lit backdrop.
Ariana Grande makes a showstopping entrance in a dramatic deep red sequined strapless gown with an oversized tulle skirt. The singer and actress has been in the spotlight following her acclaimed role as Glinda in the blockbuster film adaptation of Wicked.

The Barbican echoed that warmth in their own statement, saying they "sincerely hoped" to welcome Grande to the venue "one day when the time is right".

'The Rest of That Shit Is Not Mine to Carry'

The announcement has come amid a renewed wave of public commentary about Grande's appearance and health, which intensified following the release of her eighth studio album, Petal, last Friday. The title track's music video drew particular attention, depicting a performer who is repeatedly subjected to harsh and contradictory criticism about her looks — before taking a chainsaw to her critics.

Left panel: a woman with a dark ponytail wearing a purple satin halter top and diamond choker necklace, holding a microphone on a pink-lit stage; right panel: the same woman with curly auburn hair and sunglasses pushed up, wearing a black off-shoulder dress, leaning back dramatically at a table.
Ariana Grande pictured performing in 2021 (left) and in a 2025 appearance (right). The side-by-side images have circulated widely online as part of discussions about the singer's changing appearance over the past several years.

A source close to Grande sought to address health concerns head-on, telling People: "She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved. She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night."

"Nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be real to me or louder to me than this love that we share... The rest of that shit is not mine to carry, so I don't carry it."

Fans have responded with a wave of support across social media, with the hashtag #weloveyouariana trending in the aftermath of the initial announcement.

Grande has two further Chicago dates this week before heading to the UK for a 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena, running from 15 August through to 1 September, when the tour draws to a close.