Boundaries need to be set: Ariana Grande clarifies upcoming break was planned
MANILA, Philippines — Singer-actress Ariana Grande made it clear that her upcoming break from the public was not a reactionary decision but one planned in advance.
The award-winning artist was due to make her West End debut next year opposite her "Wicked" co-star in the Stephen Sondheim musical "Sunday in The Park with George."
Producers on the show, however, announced that Ariana dropped out from the production after a representative for the singer-actress said she wants to take a "step back" for a "much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances."
Fans have expressed growing concern for her health, particularly after her latest music video, "Petal," was released. Fans noted how Ariana appears to have lost significant weight in the MV. Ariana has said in the past that body-shaming comments are "really dangerous."
Ariana is in the tail-end of her "Eternal Sunshine" tour, and on the first show of her three-day Chicago concert last August 3, she addressed the discussions revolving her upcoming hiatus.
The singer told the United Center crowd that her decision to step away from the public eye "was not a reactive or impulsive thing" but "something she decided to plan and quietly made" a while back, a choice "made from a thoughtful and empowered place."
Related: 'Step back from visibility': Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical
"I want you to know many things can be true at the same time," Ariana read onstage from her phone as fans cheered. "I want to share this because I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the f*** opposite."
The crowd applauded more when the Grammy winner stated boundaries had to be set and humans sometimes need a break, but at the same time she can continue to experience "the greatest experience of my professional and creative life."
"No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or elaborate to me than this love that we share," Ariana carried on, adding that such noise was not hers to bear.
The singer ended her brief statement reiterating the "need to get out here and differentiate that from her truth for all" because of her love fans, calling the tour her life's "most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience" to date.
After Chicago, the "Eternal Sunshine" tour will end with 10 shows in London's O2 Arena. Ariana just released her eighth album "Petal" and will star in "Focker-in-Law" later this year. — with reports from Agence France-Presse
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