Ariana Grande will no longer star in the upcoming West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George." She had been set to reunite with her "Wicked" co-star Jonathan Bailey in the production.
Her representative confirmed the news to ABC News on Sunday, along with a broader announcement that Grande plans to step back from public life after completing her current concert tour.
"Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour," her representative said in a statement. "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 said the singer is disappointed to leave the West End production but remains supportive of those involved. "She cannot wait to support the brilliant team bringing this project to life," the source said.
The representative did not specify what prompted the decision beyond the statement's reference to public scrutiny. Grande's appearance has been the subject of ongoing online commentary and body-shaming in recent years. Discussion intensified following the release of the music video for her latest single, "Petal," from her newly released album of the same name.
Grande has addressed comments about her body before. In her 2024 song "Yes, And?," she sings, "Don't comment on my body."
The Eternal Sunshine Tour launched in June in Oakland, California. After finishing remaining U.S. dates, Grande will travel to London, where the tour is scheduled to conclude on September 1.
The tour marks her return to the stage after several years focused on acting and recording, including her role as Glinda in the "Wicked" films.
Following the tour, Grande is scheduled to appear in "Focker-in-Law," the next installment of the "Meet the Parents" franchise alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. That film is set for release on November 25.
