Ariana Grande Bids Emotional Farewell to Fans Before Planned Break from Public Life

Ariana Grande concluded her Eternal Sunshine tour with an emotional final performance at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday night. The 33 year old singer and Wicked star spoke through tears to a packed crowd, expressing her gratitude for the 41 shows that comprised the tour. Grande described the experience as one of the most beautiful and extraordinary of her life and told fans she would cherish the experience always.

The finale follows an announcement from a representative in August that Grande would take a step back from public facing work and appearances. This break is intended to provide relief from ongoing public scrutiny. As part of this decision, Grande withdrew from a London revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, a production that would have featured her alongside co star Jonathan Bailey.

Much of the public scrutiny has focused on Grande's physical appearance and weight. While some sources note that her latest single, Petal, sparked alarm regarding her being underweight, Grande has stated that her decision to step back was not reactive or impulsive. During a performance in Chicago, she explained that boundaries need to be set and that human beings sometimes need a break. In a separate TikTok post, she addressed health speculations by stating that a previous version of her body, which some viewed as healthier, was actually the least healthy period of her life.