Ariana Grande insists ‘nothing will distort my reality’ after announcing hiatus

Ariana Grande has reassured fans that her decision to step back from the spotlight has nothing to do with online criticism, declaring that ‘nothing will ever be able to distort my reality’ during an emotional speech on stage.

The pop superstar, 33, addressed thousands of fans at Chicago’s United Center on Monday night, just a day after confirming she plans to take a break from public-facing work when her Eternal Sunshine tour comes to an end.

Her team previously revealed the hiatus was intended to give the singer a chance to step away from the ‘endless, ongoing public scrutiny’ that has surrounded her in recent years.

But speaking directly to concertgoers, Ariana was adamant that negativity hadn’t driven her decision.

‘[The hiatus] was not a reactive or impulsive thing,’ she told the crowd.

‘It is something that I have decided, a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.’

She continued: ‘I want to share this because 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 f*** opposite.’

As the audience erupted into cheers, Ariana explained that taking a break and feeling grateful for her career could both be true at the same time.

‘Multiple things can be true at the same time,’ she said.

‘Yes, boundaries can need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes.’

The Grammy winner then delivered a heartfelt message to fans, insisting the support she receives from them far outweighs any criticism she encounters elsewhere.

‘No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or louder to me than this love that we share in this room.’

‘This is what I will always take with me and carry with me because the rest of that s*** is not mine to carry, so I don’t carry it.

‘I need to get out here and differentiate that from my truth for you all because I love you.’

Ariana went on to describe her sold-out Eternal Sunshine tour as ‘the greatest experience of my professional and creative life’ and ‘the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life.’

The emotional speech came just hours after the singer’s mother, Joan Grande, publicly showed her support.

Commenting on behind-the-scenes photos from Ariana’s new Petal music video, Joan wrote: ‘You are magnificent… and this video is incredible!

‘I love it and I love you more!’

The announcement of Ariana’s upcoming break followed a statement from her team confirming she would be stepping away from public appearances after the tour concludes.

‘Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,’ a spokesperson told People.

‘She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it 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.’

The break has already affected at least one major project.

Last week, producers confirmed Ariana had withdrawn from a planned West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, saying she had ‘decided to step back’ as they began recasting the role.

The hiatus also comes after renewed discussion about Ariana’s appearance following the release of her Petal music video, with social media users once again commenting on her weight.

It’s a subject the singer has repeatedly addressed over the past several years.

In 2023, she posted a lengthy TikTok urging fans to stop comparing her body to older photographs, explaining that what many considered her ‘healthy’ appearance actually came during one of the lowest periods of her life.

‘I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy, but that in fact wasn’t my healthy,’ she said at the time.

More recently, she reiterated that message during a 2024 interview, saying society had become far too comfortable commenting on other people’s bodies.

‘I think in today’s society, there is a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all — commenting on others’ looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves,’ she said.

For now, however, Ariana’s focus remains firmly on finishing her world tour.

She returns to Chicago for two more performances this week before bringing Eternal Sunshine to London for a 10-night residency at The O2 Arena later this month.