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The West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George production is reacting to Ariana Grande’s announcement that the singer will step back from the public eye after she completes her Eternal Sunshine Tour amid public scrutiny and concern over her body and health.
“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,” the production’s official X account shared via a written statement on Sunday, August 2. “We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support.”
The production added, “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.”
Grande was previously scheduled to appear in the production opposite her Wicked costar, Jonathan Bailey.
Hours earlier on Sunday, Grande, 33, announced via her rep in a statement to People that she would be “taking a step back from visibility.”
“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” a rep told the publication. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily.”
The rep also confirmed to the outlet that Grande’s decision serves as a “much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances,” adding that the singer’s prior engagements have caused “endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
The singer’s announcement comes on the heels of the Friday, July 3, release of her “Petal” music video, which left numerous fans and social media users concerned about the singer’s thin frame, leaving some to allege she is privately battling an eating disorder.
A source close to the singer also told the outlet that Grande “performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night,” pointing to the singer’s continued tour performances as a sign she is not unwell.
Grande has not personally responded to the announcement or criticism and concern. Us reached out to her team at the time for comment.
“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her,” the singer’s rep concluded in the same statement to People. “She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
While the singer has yet to publicly comment on the growing online discourse over her body, she has previously discussed how those online conversations have impacted her mentally and emotionally.
“I don’t do this often. I don’t like it. I’m not good at it,” Grande said in a TikTok video shared back in April 2023. “I just want to address your concerns about my body. There are ways to compliment someone or to ignore something that you don’t like that I think we should help each other work towards.”
If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, visit the National Alliance for Eating Disorders website or call their hotline at (866) 662-1235. Text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.
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