Ariana Grande Is Stepping Back From the Spotlight After Facing "Endless, Ongoing Public Scrutiny" Over Her Body

Ariana Grande is stepping back from the spotlight after facing "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" over her body. Her spokesperson said she will take a break from public-facing work after finishing her current tour, which ends with 10 dates at London's O2 arena on 1 September. The announcement follows the release of her new album Petal and its title track video, which shows Grande as a starlet who murders talent scouts after they criticize her weight.

The video has sparked widespread social media commentary, with some fans expressing concern for her health and others defending her right to privacy. Grande has previously spoken about the pressures of fame, including her experience with PTSD after the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing and her struggles with depression and OCD. She has also cancelled her planned role in Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George at London's Barbican in 2027. Grande, who has been in the public eye since age 16, has won three Grammy Awards and earned an Oscar nomination for her role in Wicked.