NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� chose to 鈥渃lear the air about a few things鈥� during her concert Monday night, following the news that she will be taking a break from being in the public eye after the conclusion of her 鈥淓ternal Sunshine鈥� tour.
While on stage at Chicago鈥檚 United Center, Grande told her fans that 鈥渢hings can get a little blown out of proportion,鈥� and that her decision to take a break from public life was one she had “quietly made a long time ago,鈥� rather than a 鈥渞eactive or impulsive thing.鈥�
Reading from her phone, she continued: 鈥淚t was a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know that many things can be true at the same time.鈥�
On Sunday, producers for a London production of 鈥淪unday in the Park With George鈥� announced that Grande had withdrawn from her role in the musical, set to debut at the Barbican theater in 2027.
Grande鈥檚 recent breakup from the ongoing tour and has fueled rampant speculation online about her health and appearance. She has previously expressed discomfort with public discourse around her weight, stating in a 2023 TikTok video, 鈥淚 think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people鈥檚 bodies, no matter what.鈥�
A representative for Grande told People magazine that the 33-year-old singer 鈥渨ill be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.鈥�
鈥淪he 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,鈥� the statement said.
A representative for Grande did not offer further comment to The Associated Press.
Continuing her remarks from the stage Monday, Grande said she knows fans are worried that 鈥渘egativity was ruining things鈥� for her, but said the opposite is true.
“Multiple things can be true at the same time: boundaries need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes, and also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life,鈥� she told her fans, who erupted in cheers.
The tour is scheduled to conclude on Sept. 1 in London, after a 10-night residency at the famed O2 Arena.
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