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Ariana Grande has assured fans that her decision to step away from the spotlight following her Eternal Sunshine tour was premeditated well in advance of recent speculation and has nothing to do with online backlash or negative press. In the first of three concerts at Chicago's United Center, the singer took on the issue directly, responding to concerns that have been mounting in the wake of reports that she would be taking an extended leave from public appearances. Grande was to be dropped from Stephen Sondheim's West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George, it was also announced, and the conversation reopened.

 frankly told the audience that the split was not a reaction to recent events but a well-considered decision. She shared with fans that stories released without her direct involvement are often exaggerated and that's why she wanted to clarify the situation herself.

"This was not a reactive or impulsive thing," Grande reacted to the break, which she said she had made thoughtfully and from an "empowered place" well in advance.

The singer said that there could be many realities at the same time. "I want to emphasise that although sometimes you have to set boundaries and step away from the public eye, it does not lessen my love for performing or my appreciation for the tour," she said.

 

Grande also dismissed suggestions that public scrutiny or criticism had affected her experience on tour. The star said the fear of fans that negativity would "ruin things" for her was not true. Instead, she called the Eternal Sunshine tour the most fulfilling chapter of her professional life, dubbing it "the greatest experience" of her creative career.

The Grammy winner said her bond with her fans continues to outweigh opinions from outside sources, adding that she chooses not to carry negativity that doesn't belong to her. The 33-year-old said the tour has been healing, transformative and deeply meaningful, and acknowledged fans for making the experience special.

Grande is currently performing the final dates of her Eternal Sunshine world tour, with the final show scheduled for September 1 at London's O2 Arena.

 

 's rep confirmed to People that she will be taking a brief break from her work in the public eye once the Eternal Sunshine tour wraps up in early September, the day before Grande spoke to the crowd. They said she wanted to end the tour on a high note before taking what is called a "well-deserved break" from the unrelenting eyes of the public and the media.

In recent years, Grande has been under constant public scrutiny, and time away from the spotlight has been an important personal decision, the representative added.

 

The announcement was made only days after Grande released her new album, Petal, and a music video for the album's title track, sparking immediate online conversation about her looks. The release of the album, her departure from the London theatre production and the statement from the representative led many fans to speculate that the singer's break was related to recent criticism.