Ariana Grande used her opening night in Chicago to address the reaction to her weekend announcement that she’ll step back from public life once her tour concludes, telling fans directly that the decision was neither sudden nor reactive.
Pausing at the front of the stage during Monday’s show at the United Center, Grande told the crowd:
“Sometimes when a story comes out that’s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion. So I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much. The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.”
She went on to push back on speculation tying the decision to online negativity, without directly naming the recent wave of commentary about her health and appearance that had circulated following the news.
“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 far opposite. This is not what that is.”
Grande was careful to frame the decision as multi-layered rather than a retreat.
“I just want to be very, very clear, 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,” she said.
A representative had told PEOPLE over the weekend that Grande would take “a step back from visibility” after her Eternal Sunshine Tour wraps, citing “endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” a move that also saw her exit the upcoming West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George.
Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour continues through Chicago this week before concluding with ten shows at London’s O2 Arena.
She remains attached to the film Focker-in-Law, alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, due for release on 25 November.
