After criticism regarding her thinness: "Ariana has decided to take a break"
Following a long period of intense focus on her body and health, which intensified after the release of her new single Petal, a source close to the singer shared her intention to step back from the public eye: "She will finish the tour healthy and happy."
Ariana Grande intends to step away from the public eye after the conclusion of the Eternal Sunshine tour on September 1 in London, a source close to her told PEOPLE. The decision comes against the backdrop of increasing public scrutiny regarding the health and body of the 33-year-old singer.
"Ariana will take a step back after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. She looks forward to finishing the tour at its peak, while healthy and happy, and then she will take a well-deserved break from work and public performances, which have led to endless and ongoing public criticism. This tour has been a beautiful experience for her," her representative told PEOPLE.
A source close to Grande noted that she performs a physically demanding show that requires significant athleticism. According to the source, she is performing at a very high level, night after night.
Grande's appearance and health have been at the center of public discourse in recent years. The preoccupation with the subject intensified following the release of the music video for her new single, Petal, from the album of the same name released on July 31. Grande has previously addressed the criticism of her body in the song "Yes, And?" from the 2024 album Eternal Sunshine: "I don't need any costume / Don't comment on my body, don't reply / Your business is yours, and mine is mine."
Regarding the new album Petal, a source close to Grande told PEOPLE: "This album is a war song, an anthem about the love-hate relationship with the public and its toxicity. It is not about any romantic partner or a breakup in that sense."
The Eternal Sunshine tour began in June in Oakland, California, and has since visited Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York, among others. She is expected to finish her US performances this week in Chicago, before a series of shows in London. This is her first tour after several years in which she focused on film and music projects, including her role as Glinda in the film adaptations of Wicked.
