Grande said her decision came from a “thoughtful and empowered place”.
“No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality, or be more real to me than this love that we share.”
Ariana Grande at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo/Getty
The day prior Grande announced she would take a step back from public life after her world tour ends.
A representative told People that Grande looked forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, “both healthily and happily”, before taking a “much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances”.
Grande has also pulled out of Sunday in the Park with George, a planned musical in London set to begin next year.
In a 2024 interview, Grande spoke about the constant commentary on her appearance and weight.
“I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and kind of been a specimen in a petri dish really since I was 16 or 17, so I have heard it all,” Grande said.
“I think that it’s something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you’re experiencing it on,” she said, “even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner, and someone’s granny says, ‘Oh my God, you look skinnier! What happened?’ or ‘You look heavier! What happened?’”
Ariana Grande is set to retreat from the public spotlight in the coming months as scrutiny over her health and appearance continues. Photo / Ariana Grande
The retreat from the public follows a wave of online concern over Grande’s health after her music video for Petal was released last Friday, with some viewers describing her as “extremely thin” and expressing concern for her wellbeing.
Others defended the singer, calling for an end to speculation and commentary about her body.
“Leave her body alone. Ariana doesn’t exist for your commentary,” wrote one commenter. “Her weight is not a public discussion. Body-shaming a woman for being thin is still body-shaming. Full stop. Protect her energy and keep the focus where it belongs: the music.”
However, others took the view “people are allowed to be concerned for her health”.