Star steps back from public life - 17th August 2026

Singer and actor Ariana Grande, who starred in the Wicked films, has announced that she's stepping back from public life. The star will be taking a break once her current concert tour ends in September.

For several months, questions have been asked on social media about the star's health and appearance. These significantly increased after Grande brought out the video for her new song, Petal.

Grande looked extremely thin in the video, which led to Instagram users reporting the video's post on the platform. As a result, the post received a community note, which contained links to helplines for people with eating disorders.

The day after Grande made her statement, she stopped her Chicago concert to talk about her decision. She explained that she'd come to the decision "a long time ago", before the reaction to her video. She went on to say that "human beings do need a break sometimes."

The new single, Petal, talks about self-confidence and toxic feedback. Her video shows a young actress who's heavily criticised by Hollywood executives. This pressure causes an extreme reaction. This might be Grande using her music to comment on the industry.

Grande's experienced some severe stress during her career. A bomb exploded at her Manchester concert in 2017. In 2018, her ex-boyfriend died soon after they'd broken up. Then, in 2024, Grande divorced her husband.

Fans have been quick to show their support for Grande on social media, where posts have included the hashtag #WeLoveYouAriana. Her tour concludes in London on 1st September. All future engagements have been cancelled.