Global pop phenomenon Ariana Grande has announced that her upcoming Eternal Sunshine arena tour, scheduled to commence next year, will mark her final major concert series for the foreseeable future.
The Final Curtain Call
The 32-year-old singer, known for hits like 'One Last Time', confessed that her immensely successful pop career has 'taken over' her life. She revealed she is now learning to prioritise other creative passions beyond the music industry.
Speaking candidly on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, Grande explained her mindset heading into this final tour. "I'm very excited to do this small tour. But I think it might not happen again for a long, long, long, long time," she stated. "I'm going to give it my all, and it's going to be beautiful, and I'm so grateful. I think that's why I'm doing it. Because I'm like, one last hurrah. For now."
This tour represents her first major concert series in seven years. Following the release of her chart-topping album 'Eternal Sunshine' in March 2024, the singer will perform across the United States and Canada before bringing the production to London's O2 Arena for a remarkable 10-night residency.
A New Chapter Beyond Pop Music
Grande attributed her decision to step back from the relentless international touring circuit to a newfound self-awareness about how consumed she had become by her pop career.
"That's something that is learned over time," she reflected. "For me, when I came into all of this, and my pop career sort of took over my life in a way, I didn't have that at all."
She elaborated on her desire to explore different artistic avenues, drawing on her childhood loves. "I spent so much time only doing pop music, but I grew up as a girl who loved musical theatre and comedy, so I think the thing that will be best for my soul and for my art is chasing things that feel very right in the moment, even if it's spontaneous and something different."
This shift in focus is already evident in her career trajectory. Grande has increasingly pivoted towards acting, most notably with her starring role as Glinda in the highly anticipated Hollywood adaptation of 'Wicked', alongside Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey.
She is currently filming 'Fockers In-Law', the next instalment in the 'Meet the Parents' franchise, sharing the screen with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. "It's a role that I read the script [for] and I love it and it's funny and I love the cast and I'm so excited," she said of the project.
From Teen Star to Global Icon
Ariana Grande first found fame as a teenager on Nickelodeon, playing Cat Valentine in 'Victorious' from 2010 to 2013, later reprising the role in 'Sam & Cat'. She then ascended to become one of the world's biggest pop stars, achieving seven UK No.1 singles, releasing seven studio albums, breaking numerous streaming records, and securing two Grammy Awards.
Now, the multi-talented performer says the next decade of her life will look profoundly different from the whirlwind that defined her twenties. "I feel very privileged and grateful to have learned that there can be room for different creative endeavours," she mused. "I think it will change a lot. I think the last 10 or 15 years will look very different to the ones that are coming up."
The announcement comes fresh from the New York City premiere of 'Wicked: For Good', where Grande and co-star Cynthia Erivo made a glamorous red carpet appearance. The singer also expressed 'overwhelming gratitude' for her journey with 'Wicked' and celebrated the film's Grammy 2026 nomination for the soundtrack collaboration 'Defying Gravity'.
For her legions of UK fans, the upcoming London dates at the O2 Arena will represent a rare and potentially final opportunity to experience Ariana Grande's live performance for many years to come.
