Ariana Grande to pause career after Sep 1 tour finale

Pop star Ariana Grande has announced she will step back from public life following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour, a decision she personally clarified was long-planned and not a reaction to recent online commentary about her appearance. The singer, 33, will take a hiatus from all public-facing work after her final tour show in London on September 1.

Grande addressed her fans directly during a concert at Chicago's United Center on Monday, August 3, 2026, reading from prepared notes to explain her choice. She stated the announcement, first made by her representative on August 2, was not a reactive or impulsive thing but a plan she had quietly made a long time ago. She described the decision as coming from a thoughtful and empowered place. Grande sought to reassure concertgoers who were concerned that online negativity had influenced her, stating that could not be more the opposite.

Her representative had earlier confirmed Grande would be taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which they said has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny. As part of this step back, Grande has withdrawn from a starring role in a West End revival of Stephen...