LONDON — A teary and visibly emotional Ariana Grande bid a temporary farewell to her fans as her 41-show “Eternal Sunshine Tour” concluded in London on Tuesday night, kickstarting her planned withdrawal from public life.
Addressing the audience in London’s famed O2 arena, the pop singer said she was “grateful” to her fans for making her show “so special.”
“This has been one of the most beautiful, extraordinary experiences of my life,” Grande said, dressed in black and perched on a stool on stage. “I just wanted to express my gratitude without sobbing completely.”
“I’ll cherish this experience always,” she added.
Grande, known for hits including “thank you, next” and “hate that i made you love me,” made global headlines in August when she said she would be taking a “step back from visibility” following “public scrutiny.”
The announcement came after the release of her latest music video, “petal,” which reignited a public debate about her health.
Representatives for Grande said last month that she was looking forward to finishing her tour “on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”
Grande concluded her tour in knee-high boots rather than her signature heels after stating she was “bandaged up underneath” following a “deep cut” on her foot, which she called a “minor injury.”
Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine Tour,” which promoted the 2024 album of the same name, began in Oakland, California, in June. She previously labeled the shows “one last hurrah” and has expressed her desire to take on more acting roles.
Grande was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Glinda in the hit musical movie “Wicked.”
She had been set to reunite with “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey in a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park With George,” in London next summer, before she pulled out last month.
In a statement Tuesday on Instagram, Bailey said he has also decided to “step back” from the Sondheim show. He added that “Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering.”
