In brief
Pop icon Ariana Grande has decided to step back from the limelight after a prolonged battle with online scrutiny over her body. In a statement released by her spokesperson, fans were warned that she will finish her current Eternal Sunshine Tour in September and then take a “much‑deserved break” from public appearances. The move follows her 2023 campaign to stop body shaving, and her 2024 music video for "Petal"—which satirises the spectacle of fame—highlighted the toll that constant pressure has taken. Grande’s decision comes after an earlier appeal to fans to be gentler in comments on appearance and her own admissions of dealing with PTSD and trauma following the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. While her return to the stage may be delayed, she remains an influential voice on mental‑health advocacy for young artists.
Ariana Grande takes a break from public life amid relentless body shaming
Pop star Ariana Grande has announced a sabbatical after years of being targeted for her looks.
In a statement released by her spokesperson, Grande said she will finish her current Eternal Sunshine Tour in September and then step away from public-facing work. The move was described as a response to “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” over her body and as a ‘much‑deserved break’ from the spotlight.
Grande’s decision echoes her earlier 2023 video campaign where she highlighted the harmful effects of body shaming. The video, alongside her new single "Petal", satirised the pressure of maintaining a certain image, reflecting her own experiences with health concerns following the 2017 Manchester Arena crash and her battle with PTSD.
She urged fans to be gentler when commenting on appearances, reminding listeners that a healthy look can look different and that people may be working through unseen struggles. The star has also founded the Brighter Days Ahead Foundation to support mental health for her crew and touring members.
Although Grande will pause her public duties after the tour, she remains an influential figure in music and acting, with a career spanning eight chart‑topping US singles, nine UK hits and an Oscar nomination for her role in "Wicked". Fans and industry insiders alike are hopeful that she will return refreshed and continues to champion mental‑health advocacy worldwide.
