Star of Wicked steps back for good - 17th August 2026

A spokesperson for pop titan and renowned actor Ariana Grande has announced that the Wicked star will be "stepping back from visibility" from September, following the conclusion of her current tour.

In the months preceding the announcement, speculation concerning Grande's wellbeing had steadily grown on social media. This came to a head with the release of the music video for Petal, the title song on her new album, in which the star appeared particularly gaunt.

The video's Instagram post, which troubled users had flagged for potential welfare concerns, ended up receiving a community note that signposted anyone suffering from eating disorders to free helplines.

The day after her announcement, Grande appeared keen to scotch rumours surrounding her choice to step back. Addressing fans at her concert in Chicago, she paused her performance to read a statement from her phone. She denied the move was a reactive one, saying, "It's something I had decided to plan quietly, a long time ago," before adding, "Boundaries need to be set. Human beings do need a break sometimes."

The music video for Petal, Grande's latest release, centres on a performer who critics constantly rebuke as "not good enough" or "too desperate". This constant denigration leads the performer to turn on her critics, which some ponder may reflect Grande's own sensibilities.

Grande's continued her music career through intense and difficult times. During her 2017 world tour, a bomb exploded at her concert in Manchester, England, injuring over 1,000 people and leaving 22 people dead. The following year, her former boyfriend Max Miller died shortly after their separation, and in 2024, she divorced husband Dalton Gomez.

There's been an outpouring of support and concern for Grande's wellbeing from fans, who've been reacting on social media to the news of her decision to take a step back, using the hashtag #WeLoveYouAriana.

The star's withdrawn from next year's revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical 'Sunday in the Park with George', at London's Barbican theatre, with Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey. However, Grande will still be visiting the city for the culmination of her Eternal Sunshine tour, with a 10-night residency at the O2 Arena ending on 1st September.