Ariana Grande Announces Hiatus After Eternal Sunshine Tour
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Ariana Grande Steps Away From The Spotlight To Protect Her Health Amid Relentless Scrutiny
Pop star Ariana Grande will step back from public-facing work after wrapping her Eternal Sunshine Tour on September 1, 2026, citing exhaustion from continuous public scrutiny. The decision also means she will no longer appear in the planned London revival of Sunday in the Park With George at the Barbican.
A planned, empowered break
Grande’s representatives told PEOPLE that the singer “will be taking a step back from visibility” once the tour concludes, emphasizing that the move is intended to protect her health and well-being after months of intense attention on her appearance. In a statement, the rep said Grande looks forward to finishing the tour “healthily and happily” before taking a “much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
Grande addressed the hiatus directly during her Chicago show, telling fans the announcement was not reactive or impulsive but a plan she had quietly made “a long time ago” from a “thoughtful and empowered place.” She framed the decision as an act of setting boundaries, noting that “boundaries, they need to be set,” and stressing that the pause is focused on reducing visibility rather than ending her music or acting career.
Withdrawal from Sunday in the Park With George
As part of stepping back, Grande has withdrawn from the upcoming London production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George, in which she was slated to star opposite Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey at the Barbican in 2027. Production company Empire Street Productions confirmed her exit and said the show will still go ahead as planned, with her role to be recast.
The Barbican and producers expressed support for Grande’s decision. A representative for Empire Street Productions said, “We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” adding that they wish her “nothing but the best.”
Tour finale and next steps
The Eternal Sunshine Tour, Grande’s fifth concert tour, is scheduled to end with a 10-night residency at London’s O2 Arena, culminating on September 1. After that final show, she plans an extended break from public-facing work and appearances while remaining supportive of projects she believes in, including the Sunday in the Park With George team.
Though Grande’s new album petal has fueled renewed conversation around her image and health, she and her team have made clear that the hiatus is about sustainability and self-care, not a reaction to any single incident. For now, fans can expect the tour to finish strongly, with Grande’s future projects to be announced once she has taken the rest she says she needs.