Ariana Grande breaks silence amid growing fan concern: ‘I want to be very, very clear’

Ariana Grande has spoken out for the first time about her decision to take a break from the spotlight amid growing concerns about her health. The 33-year-old singer shared an emotional message with fans on Monday during the first night of her Eternal Sunshine tour, revealing that while she is “healing” she wanted to “clear the air”. Ariana Grande reveals the truth behind her decision to take a break. Instagram/@arianagrande “So basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing,” Grande told the crowd. She said the decision was planned and one she “had quietly made a long time ago”. “It’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know many things can be true at the same time,” she explained. “I want to share this because 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 the f--k opposite,” she went on. “Honestly, this is not what that is. 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.” The Thank U Next singer said nothing can compare to the love she shares with her fans how it feels to share her art with the world. “The rest of that shit is not mine to carry, so I don’t carry it,” she continued. “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.” Ariana Grande is taking a step back from the spotlight amid ongoing scrutiny over her appearance. Instagram/@arianagrande The emotional explanation comes just days after it was confirmed that the 7 Rings hitmaker was stepping back from the spotlight after her Eternal Sunshine tour wraps up in London on September 1. The singer has also pulled out of her upcoming West End debut, a spokesperson for the production has confirmed. Grande was scheduled to star in the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey next summer. While she has pulled out of the show, a source told People she can’t wait to support the team bringing the project to life. Her break from “visibility” was confirmed in a statement from her rep released on Sunday, US time. “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” her rep confirmed People. The singer’s tour is physical and athletic, which a source says she performs at a ‘healthy and high’ level. Instagram/@arianagrande “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.” Grande’s physical appearance and overall health has been a topic of discussion in recent years, but that intensified last week with the release of her music video for the latest single Petal. Fans again raised concerns for the star after the launch of the Petal music video. Republic Records But despite the odd nature of the clip, most of the commentary about it was about her appearance, with many fans sharing their concern for her weight in the comments. One comment from a fan on social media read that Grande’s “bones are literally popping out” and visible. It’s not the first time her appearance has come under scrutiny from fans, but in the past Grande has hit back at it. In November 2025, she told fans to be cautious about making “dangerous” body-shaming comments. At the time she reposted a 2024 interview from the Wicked: For Good press tour, where she addressed negative comments about her body on her Instagram Stories. Grande hit back against negative commentary around her body during the Wicked: For Good press tour in 2025. AP At the time she said it was “hard to protect yourself from that noise” when “you’re young and you’re hearing all kinds of things.” “I think that it’s something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you’re experiencing it on,” she said.