Pop superstar Ariana Grande has announced plans to take an extended break from the public eye after wrapping her Eternal Sunshine Tour. Her representative made the official announcement on Sunday, amid fans raising alarm over the singer’s appearance in her latest music video ‘Petal’.According to a statement issued to People, Grande plans to step away from the public eye, once her tour concludes on September 1. The statement read, “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. 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.”The rep continued, “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much. She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved. She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”
Ariana Grande drops out of West End production
In addition to taking a break from public appearances, People reported that Grande has also exited Stephen Sondheim‘s West End revival of Sunday in the Park With George. The singer-actress had previously been attached to star opposite Jonathan Bailey in the production.
Fans debate over Ariana Grande’s appearance
The news comes days after netizens expressed concern over Grande’s appearance in her newly released ‘Petal’ music video. While fans’ comments were initially brushed aside as men tweets and comments over the star’s body image; the discussion intensified after actress and activist Jameela Jamil raised the alarm.
Jameela Jamil claims Ariana Grande is ‘dying right in front of us’
Jamil stunned netizens with her comment that read, “This poor woman is possibly dying right in front of us. This outfit is designed to accentuate the thinness for discourse. Her team are thoroughly irresponsible for not guiding her away from this deeply damaging image for her young fans to see so glamorized.”
Jameela Jamil explains comment about Ariana Grande
The actress received her share of backlash for her comment, which led to her explaining, “I said possibly. My god. And my point stands, that this is deeply irresponsible for all the people involved to deliver this aesthetic as glamorous to the many billions of girls and women consuming this imagery. Trying to use this as a b*tch fight is DISGUSTING and missing the point. Making you part of the problem. I feel extremely bad for Ariana having almost died of anorexia myself. And it was only due to the people around me intervening INSENSITIVELY once I willfully ignored (and sort of enjoyed) their careful concern, that l survived. I don’t know Ariana and pray she recovers. I don’t think she’s in the comments sections of tiny posts, but young girls watching are, and we need to signal to THEM that this is not the time to pretend this is ok, just because ‘we shouldn’t talk about other people’s bodies’.”
Charli Howard says Ariana Grande in ‘desperate need of hospitalisation and care’
Besides Jamil, Charli Howard, who has written extensively about her recovery from an eating disorder, also raised alarm over Grande’s appearance in her latest music video. In a lengthy Instagram post, she wrote, “I don’t speak about my previous eating disorders much anymore – I have come on leaps and bounds since then – but weight loss still lingers at the back of my mind, especially as I have gained weight over the last 18 months. Will being thinner make me happier? Will it bring me relief, a partner, love, contentment? Deep down, and after years of therapy & recovery, I know this isn’t true. But other women and girls do not.”Alerting young women and girls that Grande’s current physique is ‘not normal’, she added, “I think it’s vital we discuss imagery/videos/content like these and the damage they can – and will – have on women and girls. WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS NOT NORMAL. Over the past few weeks, as images of Ariana’s concert get plastered around online, I obviously see comments from worried fans, but I also see other people convincing others that she looks ‘healthy’, or that she has simply ‘lost puppy fat’. Some even make jokes about it.”She went on to say, “What I see is someone in desperate need of hospitalisation and care, and while I know it’s often impossible to help someone at this stage of anorexia, there HAS to be an immediate intervention”Grande has never publicly admitted she has anorexia or any eating disorder.
Ariana Grande’s photos divide fans online
The Petal music video sparked widespread discussion across social media, with viewers divided over Grande’s noticeably thinner appearance.Some fans criticised the continued scrutiny of the singer’s body, calling out ‘invasive and inappropriate’ comments. Others expressed concern for her wellbeing.The conversation allegedly became so widespread that Instagram reportedly added ‘community notes’ to posts related to the video directing users to eating disorder resources and helplines.
Ariana Grande addressed body comments
Grande has repeatedly spoken out against public commentary about her appearance. In 2023, the singer reminded fans that the period many people considered her “healthiest” was actually one of the most difficult times in her life, urging people to avoid making assumptions about someone’s wellbeing based solely on their appearance.
Ariana Grande to attend ‘Focker-in-Law’ press tour?
Although Grande plans to step away from the public eye after her tour, she is expected to return to the spotlight for the release of ‘Focker-in-Law’, in which she stars alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller. The comedy is scheduled to arrive in theatres the day before Thanksgiving and is widely expected to be supported by a major promotional campaign.
