Ariana Grande steps out of the spotlight as Jonathan Bailey exits West End musical
Ariana Grande has officially concluded her Eternal Sunshine Tour and begun an extended break from public life, while her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey has also withdrawn from their planned West End musical.
The pop star brought her 41-date tour to an emotional close at London’s O2 Arena on September 1, following performances across the US, Canada and the UK.
Grande thanked fans for their support and described the tour as one of the most meaningful experiences of her career, writes Music News Blitz’s Anna Ferraz.
Grande begins break after Eternal Sunshine Tour
Grande’s team previously announced that the singer would be “taking a step back from visibility” once the Eternal Sunshine Tour ended.
Her representative explained that Grande wanted to finish the tour “healthily and happily” before taking a much-needed break from public-facing work and appearances.
The decision followed years of intense public commentary surrounding the singer’s health, body and appearance.
Grande later addressed the announcement during a Chicago concert, assuring fans that the choice was neither reactive nor impulsive.
Instead, she described it as a personal decision rooted in setting healthy boundaries and looking after herself.
Her break also led her to withdraw from a planned 2027 revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Sunday in the Park with George.
The production would have marked Grande’s West End debut and reunited her with Bailey following their appearances as Glinda and Fiyero in the two-part Wicked film adaptation.
Jonathan Bailey leaves Sunday in the Park with George
As reported by Yahoo Entertainment, Bailey has now followed Grande in leaving the production.
“Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering,” Bailey wrote in a statement shared on Instagram.
He called the musical a “real passion project” but confirmed that, after careful consideration, he had decided to step back.
Bailey had been due to play artist George Seurat opposite Grande as his lover and muse, Dot.
The revival, directed by Marianne Elliott, remains scheduled to open at London’s Barbican Centre in summer 2027.
Producers confirmed that work on the show is continuing, with casting discussions currently underway.
The creative team will reshape the revival around a new company while attempting to preserve the original vision for the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical.
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What comes next for Grande?
Although Grande is stepping away from public appearances, her break has not been presented as a permanent retirement from music or acting.
The singer leaves the spotlight after a busy period encompassing the Wicked films, new music and her first headline tour since 2019.
For now, however, Grande appears ready to prioritise her well-being following years of relentless attention, and her emotional final London performance offered fans a heartfelt farewell before that next chapter begins.
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