Ariana Grande Justifies Career Hiatus: "Humans Need a Break"

After reports that Ariana Grande would be stepping out of the spotlight following the end of the Eternal Sunshine tour, the singer-actress clarified the situation during a Chicago concert on Monday night (3).

According to the singer, the news ended up becoming much bigger than it should have, and the decision was not made on impulse: "Sometimes, when a story comes out that's not directly from me, things can be a little blown out of proportion, so I wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight," she started.

She then emphasized: "The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is  something I have decided. A plan I had quietly made a long time ago and it's a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place". 

The artist also denied that the break was motivated by the pressure of public exposure. "I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the f**k opposite".

Ariana stressed that "boundaries can need to be set" and that "human beings can need a break sometimes," but noted that the tour will still be "the greatest experience of my professional and creative life." Closing her remarks, she said: "Nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real or louder to me than the love we share," adding that the tour was "the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, and special experience" of her life.

It's also worth noting that fans will be able to see Ariana Grande in theaters in November in Meet the Parents 4, the comedy in which she stars alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller.