Ariana Grande concluded her Eternal Sunshine tour at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday, delivering an emotional farewell performance before stepping back from public-facing work. The U.S. singer and “Wicked” star addressed a packed house on her final night, telling the crowd that performing for the tour had been “one of the most beautiful and extraordinary experiences of my life.”
The Final Eternal Sunshine Tour Performance
The concert marked the end of a 41-show run that began in Oakland, California, in June, alongside 10 total dates in London. Speaking through tears on stage, Grande expressed gratitude to her supporters for their dedication and outfits. She told the audience, “I just wanted to say thank you so much… Thank you for 10 beautiful London shows and for 41 incredible Eternal Sunshine tour shows.” She added that she would “cherish this experience always.”
Stepping Back From Public Visibility
The tour’s conclusion aligns with a planned break from the spotlight. According to a representative who spoke to People magazine in an August 2 interview, Grande intended to end the tour on a high note prior to taking a “much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
This scrutiny intensified recently following the release of the music video for her single “Petal,” which drew public comments regarding her appearance. Amid these developments, Grande also withdrew from a planned London revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George,” which would have paired her with “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey. Bailey subsequently withdrew from the production as well.
Addressing Fan Concerns
Following reports of her planned hiatus, Grande addressed her supporters directly during a performance in Chicago. She clarified that her choice “was not a reactive or impulsive thing” and that it was a decision she had planned “a long time ago.” “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… opposite,” Grande told the crowd in Chicago. “Boundaries do need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes.”
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