Ariana Grande is stepping back from the spotlight after withdrawing from a major London theatre production, with the singer planning to take a break from public-facing work following the conclusion of her current tour.
Grande had been due to appear alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, which is scheduled to open at London’s Barbican in 2027. Producers Empire Street Productions confirmed that Grande will no longer be involved, while the production itself is expected to go ahead next summer as planned.
In a statement, Empire Street Productions said it understood the decision and offered its full support to Grande. The company added that further casting details would be announced in due course, leaving the production’s next chapter open while plans continue behind the scenes.
Grande’s representative told People that the 33-year-old singer intends to reduce her visibility once she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. The tour is scheduled to finish in London on September 1, marking the point at which Grande plans to step away from public-facing work and appearances.
The decision comes after years of intense attention around Grande’s career and personal life. Her representative said the singer wants to finish the tour “healthily and happily” before taking what was described as a much-deserved break from the scrutiny that has accompanied her public profile.
Grande has been in the public eye since childhood, first finding fame as a performer on Nickelodeon before moving into music. She released her debut album, Yours Truly, in 2013 and went on to establish herself as one of pop’s biggest names, earning three Grammy Awards during her career.
Her work has increasingly crossed into film and theatre in recent years. Grande starred as Glinda in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked, earning an Academy Award nomination for supporting actress, while her pairing with Bailey in the film brought the two performers together again for the planned Sondheim production.
For now, the focus is on the final dates of her tour. After that, Grande appears set to trade the constant demands of promotion, performances and appearances for a quieter period away from public view.
Celebrity Hot Chicks Music News
Last modified: August 3, 2026
