Ariana Grande has addressed fans for the first time since announcing she would step back from public-facing work once her Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes, sharing an upbeat Instagram Stories message ahead of her opening night in Chicago.
A representative for Grande told PEOPLE over the weekend that the singer will be “taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” a decision that also saw her withdraw from the upcoming West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George.
The statement cited “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” as the reason behind the move, which has fuelled online speculation, including theories linking it to commentary about her appearance.
Grande’s first public comments since the announcement came Monday morning, ahead of the first of three consecutive shows at Chicago’s United Center.
Alongside a clip of herself performing, she wrote: “See you tonight, my sweethearts!!! Cannot wait and love you so.”
She left a similar comment on a separate reel of herself performing Stay, from her new album Petal.
The timing has added extra scrutiny to Petal itself, which critics have suggested channels some of Grande’s frustration with fame directly into its lyrics.
Billboard‘s review described the album as “pretty much a manicured middle finger aimed directly at the public,” while Pitchfork pointed to lines from the record, including “all that sh-t talk keeps me well-fed,” as evidence of its pointed tone.
Some critics have also speculated that the album’s lead single, Hate That I Made You Love Me may be aimed more at obsessive fans than a former partner.
Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour will continue through Chicago this week before concluding with ten shows at London’s O2 Arena beginning later this month.
