Ariana Grande will take a “step back” from public-facing work, following “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.<\/p>\n
The pop singer, 33, was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a new production of Stephen Sondheim\u2019s critically acclaimed musical, Sunday In The Park With George, at the Barbican in 2027.<\/p>\n
The Barbican show will still go ahead as planned and Grande\u2019s part will be recast, production company Empire Street Productions said. <\/p>\n
The announcement comes after Grande released the music video for Petal, the title single from her newly released eighth studio album, which augmented speculation about her health.<\/p>\n
The Thank U, Next singer’s health and physical appearance have been topics of speculation in recent years. <\/p>\n
A representative for Grande told People: \u201cAriana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ariana Grande released her eighth studio album ‘Petal’ on 31 July. Credit: Republic Records via AP<\/p>\n
Grande is currently on her Eternal Sunshine tour, which will come to the UK in August, with a 10-night residency at London\u2019s The O2.<\/p>\n
Her final London show on September 1 will also mark the end of the tour.<\/p>\n
Grande has won three Grammy awards amid a successful music career which took off in 2013 after the release of her debut album, Yours Truly.<\/p>\n
She first found fame playing Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon television shows Victorious and Sam & Cat.<\/p>\n
She was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Glinda in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked.<\/p>\n
The pop singer was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in the Sunday In The Park With George musical in 2027. Credit: AP<\/p>\n
In a statement, the production company behind Sunday In The Park With George said: \u201cEmpire Street Productions have said following this evening\u2019s announcement from Ariana Grande\u2019s team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n
The original musical, created by Sondheim and James Lapine, debuted on Broadway in 1984 starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters.<\/p>\n