Ariana Grande is stepping back from public life after facing "endless, ongoing public scrutiny", and will no longer star in an upcoming London musical, her representative has announced.
The 33-year-old singer and actress had been due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a new production of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday In The Park With George at the Barbican in 2027.
Representative statement on break from visibility
A representative for Grande told People: "Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour."
"She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public 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."
Production will go ahead with recast
Part of her step back includes withdrawing from Sunday In The Park With George. Production company Empire Street Productions said the Barbican show will still go ahead as planned and Grande's part will be recast.
A statement to the Press Association said: "Empire Street Productions have said 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."
Tour finale in London
Grande is currently on her Eternal Sunshine tour, which will come to the UK in August with a 10-night residency at London's The O2. Her final London show on September 1 will also mark the end of the tour.
The announcement follows the release of the music video for Petal, the title single from her newly released eighth studio album, which sparked further speculation about her health.
Grande was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Glinda in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked.
