‘Sunday in the Park with George’ producers address Ariana Grande’s West End exit as she steps away from limelight
‘Sunday in the Park with George’ producers address Ariana Grande’s West End exit as she steps away from limelight
Riley Cardoza Mon, August 3, 2026 at 5:47 PM UTC
0
The “Sunday in the Park with George” production team shared their “understanding and support” in the wake of Ariana Grande’s exit from the West End show.
“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,'” read a statement shared by the musical’s official X account Sunday.
“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the producers continued over the weekend.
The “Sunday in the Park with George” producers addressed Ariana Grande (pictured above on Jan. 7) exiting the show’s West End revival via X. GC Images
The statement, shared Sunday, expressed “complete understanding and support” for the singer. SundayParkStage/Twitter
“We wish her nothing but the best,” the statement concluded. “The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.”
Grande, notably, was set to star in the musical opposite her “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey at London’s Barbican Centre.
People confirmed on Sunday that the Grammy winner, 33, was “exiting the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s” musical.
The production team wished the Grammy winner “nothing but the best.” SundayParkStage/Twitter
Grande (pictured above on July 9) confirmed her departure from the show on Sunday. arianagrande/Instagram
The announcement came in tandem with Grande sharing her plans to “tak[e] a step back from visibility” amid “public scrutiny” regarding her weight loss.
Advertisement
“She looks forward to finishing the [‘Eternal Sunshine’] tour [on Sept. 1] 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 songwriter’s spokesperson wrote.
“This tour has been a beautiful experience for her,” the statement went on. “She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Grande (pictured above in November 2025) is “taking a step back from visibility,” per her rep. GC Images
The announcement came on the heels of Grande releasing her “Petal” music video Friday. YouTube/Ariana Grande
Additionally, a source close to the actress said, “She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved. She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”
Grande’s rep has yet to respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
The chatter surrounding the “Victorious” alum’s appearance ramped up when she kicked off her tour in June and intensified when her “Petal” music video dropped Friday.
The footage intensified the already-present concern online over Grande’s weight loss. BabyDoll Music
The “Victorious” alum has previously railed against “really dangerous” body-shaming comments. YouTube/Ariana Grande
Last year, the former Nickelodeon star warned social media users to refrain from “really dangerous” body-shaming comments.
Grande re-posted a tearful 2024 interview of hers, during which she said, “I think in today’s society, there is a comfortability [sic] 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.”
At the time, the “Sam & Cat” alum confessed she had a “hard” time “protect[ing]” herself “from all that noise.”
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
