Cinema VinesAriana Grande has officially pulled out of a planned London stage production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George, according to Empire Street Productions. The Barbican theatre had scheduled the musical for 2027, with Grande set to star opposite her Wicked co‑star Jonathan Bailey.
In a statement released Sunday, the production company confirmed that Grande would no longer be part of the London run. A spokesperson for the singer told People magazine that she will be stepping back from public visibility once her current Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes. The representative said the 33‑year‑old aims to finish the tour on a high note—both healthily and happily—before taking a well‑deserved break from public-facing work and the intense scrutiny that follows her.
Grande’s decision comes amid heightened media attention after her recent split with Wicked co‑star Ethan Slater, the ongoing tour, and the release of her new album Petal last week. Fans and commentators have speculated about her health and appearance, prompting Grande to speak out against body‑shaming. In a 2023 TikTok video she urged people to be gentler when commenting on bodies, and she shared a 2024 interview that highlighted how uncomfortable she feels being dissected for her looks since her teenage years.
The singer’s next concert is scheduled for Monday in Chicago, and her tour is slated to wrap up in London on September 1. Empire Street Productions added that the musical will still open next summer as planned, and that a new cast will be announced “in due course.” They expressed full understanding and support for Grande’s decision.
