RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Ariana Grande is set to take a break from the public once her Eternal Sunshine Tour wraps on Sept. 1. The pop star’s time off includes her pulling out of leading the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George , which was expected to open next summer in London’s West End.
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People first reported the news — which comes just after Grande released her highly-anticipated new studio album Petal — on Sunday (Aug. 2), publishing a statement attributed to a representative for Grande. Billboard has reached out to Grande’s team for comment.
“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” the statement said . “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 is also bowing out of her previously announced appearance in the West End revival of Sunday in the Park With George . She was set to star in the London production opposite Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
She’s currently on the last month of her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which next heads to Chicago for three concert dates (Aug. 3, 5 and 6) before a show-closing, 10-date run in London that spans Aug. 15 to Sept. 1.
Petal the album just arrived on Friday (July 31), and its title track was released as the LP’s second single.
A music video debuted alongside the track that echoes real-life critiques Grande’s received from the public; recent public commentary has been centered on her physical appearance and weight.
In the visual, which plays as a short film, the performer cuts down critics — with a chainsaw — after being told she’s “not good enough” and has “no sex appeal.” Audition notes saying that she “should get some work done” turn to “too much work done.” “The way you used to be, I miss that,” one naysayer says.
“Hate That I Made You Love Me,” the album’s first single, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 .
Post-tour, fans can see her in movie theaters in Focker-in-Law , opening Nov. 25. The comedy is the latest in the Meet the Parents series, starring Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro.
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