Ariana Grande addresses hiatus plans for the first time, says decision was not ‘impulsive’

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Ariana Grande directly addressed her plans to go on a hiatus just a day after her representative announced that the pop star would be taking a ‘step back’ from the spotlight after concluding her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour in early September. 

Speaking to the crowd during her show at Chicago’s United Center on Monday, August 3, the ‘Wicked’ star clarified that her decision to take a break was not ‘reactive or impulsive’ and had been planned beforehand. 

Grande's first official direct statement about the hiatus comes amid ongoing online debate over her appearance, with some social media users speculating about possible health concerns. The singer has not confirmed any such claims and instead emphasized that her decision to step back had been carefully planned rather than made in reaction to recent scrutiny. 

Ariana Grande says her decision to take a break came from a ‘thoughtful and empowered place’

During her Chicago show stop on Monday, Grande paused her performance and took the mic to clarify the reason behind her decision to step away from the spotlight. “So basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing,” she began. 

“It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” Grande added.

“And I want you to know that many things can be true at the same time. 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… opposite. Honestly, this is not what that is,” she clarified.

“And I just want to be very, very clear: Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries, they 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,” Grande stated.

“No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or elaborate to me than this love that we share,” she further added. 

“The rest of that… is not mine to carry, so I don’t carry it. I need to get out here and differentiate that from my truth for you all because I love you and this tour has been the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life,” the ‘7 Rings’ hitmaker concluded. 

Ariana Grande also drops out of ‘Sunday in the Park With George’ revival

Grande’s hiatus announcement also coincided with her decision to drop out of Stephen Sondheim’s West End revival of ‘Sunday in the Park With George,’ where she was set to star opposite ‘Wicked’ co-star Jonathan Bailey. 

Just hours after Grande’s rep announced that the singer-actress would ‘step back from visibility’ and take ‘a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,’ the team behind ‘Sunday in the Park With George’ took to social media to confirm Grande’s departure. 

“Following this evening's announcement from Ariana Grande's team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” they wrote.

“We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course,” the team added.