Ariana Grande told a packed United Center in Chicago on Monday, August 3, that her upcoming break from public life had been planned long before it was announced, pushing back on speculation that online criticism played any major role in her decision.
The singer paused between songs during her Eternal Sunshine Tour stop to address fans directly, a day after her representatives confirmed she would step away from public-facing work once the tour ends.
The “Petal” singer explained, “Sometimes when a story comes out that’s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion. So I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much.”
“So basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided. It’s a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place and I want you to know that many, many things can be true at the same time,” she said.
The “God is a woman” singer appeared to be addressing the wave of online speculation that followed news of her hiatus, with many assuming the decision came after renewed public scrutiny over her appearance, particularly following the release of her “Petal” music video.
Some also speculated that she was struggling with an eating disorder — claims Grande has repeatedly addressed and denied.
“Boundaries can need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes. And also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life,” she added.
She went on to say that the online criticism and “noise” surrounding her no longer mattered to her, explaining that she wanted to focus on her fans and the people she creates music with.
“The rest of that sh*t,” she said, “is not mine to carry — and it’s not yours either.”
Grande then concluded that the past year had been creatively and personally fulfilling: “This tour has been the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience and so has putting out [the album] “Petal.” It’s been extraordinary.”
Grande has previously addressed similar concerns about her appearance. During the press tour for Wicked in 2023, she responded to comments comparing her body to older photos, saying, “The body you’re comparing my current one to was the unhealthiest version of me.”
Grande’s representatives first confirmed the planned break in a statement to People on Sunday, August 2, saying she would step away from public-facing work and appearances after the Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes. The statement added that the decision had been made amid years of intense public scrutiny.
“She’s been happy performing her recent shows and being back on stage, but she’s been overworked. She’s been nonstop and it’s taking a toll. She’s never handled the public scrutiny well and constant chatter about her weight [doesn’t help],” another source told Page Six.
The announcement also came as Grande exited the planned West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, in which she had been set to star alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
Grande opened the first of her three Chicago shows on Monday night and is expected to wrap the Eternal Sunshine Tour with a 10-show run in London between August 15 and September 1.
