Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical, seeks to ‘step back’

Ariana Grande at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. Picture: Valerie Macon/AFP 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 Sunday, as a representative for the singer said she wants to take a “step back” from the public eye. The 33-year-old Grande had been slated to star opposite herWickedcastmate Jonathan Bailey in the Stephen Sondheim musicalSunday in The Park with Georgein the summer of 2027 at London’s Barbican theater.

“We can confirm that she has decided to step back from ‘Sunday in The Park with George’,” producers said in a statement carried on theshow’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 would go ahead as planned and casting would be announced “in due course.” Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George.We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. 1/2 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 for her health, particularly after Friday’s 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 teen on Broadway before embarking on a hugely successful pop career