Ariana Grande will take a “step back” from public-facing work, following “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.
The pop singer, 33, was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s critically acclaimed musical, Sunday In The Park With George, at the Barbican in 2027.
The Barbican show will still go ahead as planned and Grande’s part will be recast, production company Empire Street Productions said.
The announcement comes after Grande released the music video for Petal, the title single from her newly released eighth studio album, which augmented speculation about her health.
The Thank U, Next singer’s health and physical appearance have been topics of speculation in recent years.
A representative for Grande told People: “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.
“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.
“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Grande is currently on her Eternal Sunshine tour, which will come to the UK in August, with a 10-night residency at London’s The O2.
Her final London show on September 1 will also mark the end of the tour.
Grande has won three Grammy awards amid a successful music career which took off in 2013 after the release of her debut album, Yours Truly.
She first found fame playing Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon television shows Victorious and Sam & Cat.
She was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Glinda in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked.
In a statement, the production company behind Sunday In The Park With George said: “Empire Street Productions have said following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George.
“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support.
“We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.”
The original musical, created by Sondheim and James Lapine, debuted on Broadway in 1984 starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters.
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