Pop star Ariana Grande has spoken publicly for the first time after it was revealed that she was taking a step back from public life due to scrutiny over her appearance
Ariana Grande has spoken about her hiatus for the first time(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Ariana Grande has revealed the true reason behind her decision to take a break. Over the weekend, it was announced that the pop star would be stepping back from public life at the end of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
A spokesperson for the singer said she would be taking a hiatus due to the “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.” But now, during a performance in Chicago, Ariana, 33, has directly addressed her decision and told the sold-out crowd that she wanted to speak with her fans “directly”.
Mid-performance at the United Centre in Chicago, Ariana brought her performance to a halt to “clear the air about a few things”. The No Tears Left To Cry musician said: “Sometimes when a story comes out that’s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion, so I 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. I wanna share this because I heard that, I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me. But I just have to say that could not be more than the opposite.
“I promise you, this is not what that is. And I just want to be very, very clear. Nothing can ruin… Multiple things can be true at the same time. Bound- 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, and nothing is getting in the way of that, or will get in the way of that. So, I just wanted to make that quite plain.” She went on to add that despite “what noises exist,” nothing will be able to “distort” the reality or “be real to me or louder to me than this love that we share, or even how it feels to make art with the people that I love and respect.”
While reading from her phone, Ariana continued to say: “This is what I will always take with me and carry with me, because the rest of that shit is not mine to carry, so I don’t carry it. And I wanted you to hear that from me.” Before returning to her peformance, Ariana went on to say that she “needed” to “differentiate that from my truth for all of you,” adding: “I love you and this tour has been the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life.”
In recent weeks, the singer has sparked concern among fans and social media users over her appearance. As she released the music video for her new single, Petal, many fans expressed concern for the singer’s changed look.
In the wake of scrutiny surrounding Ariana’s appearance, her spokespeople released a statement on Sunday evening announcing that, after her Eternal Sunshine Tour ends, she will step back from public life for some time.
The pop singer was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s critically acclaimed musical, Sunday In The Park With George, at the Barbican in 2027.
A representative for the pop star 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.
“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.” A source close to Grande told the publication that her tour show required a high level of athletic ability and that she performed healthily night after night.
Ariana has two more shows in Chicago before the tour moves to the United Kingdom, where she will be performing a residency at London’s O2 Arena for 10 dates in August, before ending on September 1.
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