Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical, seeks to ‘step back’
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Fans have expressed concern about Ariana Grande’s health, particularly after the July 31 release of a music video in which she appears to have lost significant weight.
PHOTO: PHILIP CHEUNG/NYTIMES
- Ariana Grande has withdrawn from the London West End musical Sunday in The Park with George to take a break from public appearances and media scrutiny.
- Her representatives said she wanted a break amid ongoing public scrutiny, especially after fans noticed her weight loss in a recent music video.
- Grande will complete her Eternal Sunshine tour and appear in the upcoming film Focker-in-Law this November.
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WASHINGTON – Pop star Ariana Grande has dropped out of what would have been her debut appearance in London’s West End, the show’s producers said on Aug 2, while a representative for the singer said she wants to take a “step back” from the public eye.
Grande, 33, had been slated to star opposite her Wicked castmate Jonathan Bailey in the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday In The Park With George at London’s Barbican theatre in summer 2027.
But amid renewed public scrutiny of the singer’s health, especially on social media, her representative said Grande wanted a “much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances” when her Eternal Sunshine tour wraps in London on Sept 1.
“We can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday In The Park With George,” producers said in a statement posted on the show’s official X account, without providing a reason for Grande’s withdrawal.
“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the statement said, adding that the show will go ahead as planned and casting will be announced “in due course”.
“We wish her nothing but the best.”
Grande’s representative told People magazine that while the Grammy-winning artist is eager to complete her tour, she wants to take a “step back from visibility”, as her many appearances have “led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
Fans have expressed growing concern about her health, particularly after the July 31 release of a music video for Petal, in which the pint-sized singer appears to have lost significant weight.
Grande has said before that body-shaming comments are “really dangerous”.
She began her career as a teenager on Broadway before embarking on a hugely successful pop career.
Her star turn as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
But the massive success of the film and its sequel, Wicked: For Good, meant Grande was doing constant media appearances for the better part of two years.
She is set to appear in the comedy Focker-In-Law opposite Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, which hits theatres in November. AFP
