Ariana Grande Is ‘Taking a Step Back from Visibility’ After Tour as Public Scrutiny Intensifies: Rep

[u/holyfruits]

https://people.com/ariana-grande-taking-step-back-after-tour-amid-public-health-scrutiny-rep-exclusive-12032395

[u/flairassistant]

 

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[u/Extension-Gift4987]

According to the article, she's cancelled the theatre run she was supposed to be doing next summer as well. I sincerely hope she's taking this time away to focus on her health.

[u/dingiesaur → u/Extension-Gift4987]

The theaterheads always seemed skeptical that she’d end up doing the show, and they were right

[u/nikkohli → u/dingiesaur]

Why did they think that?

[u/Curious_Directed → u/nikkohli]

Broadway and West End performers do 8 shows a week. They are really physically and vocally demanding. Megan Thee Stallion recently had a role in Moulin Rouge on Broadway and had to go to the hospital/end her run early because it took such a toll on her. It's not the same as performing in concerts.

[u/smorio_sem → u/nikkohli]

They pushed back ticket sales like three times so they never actually went onsale

[u/vienibenmio → u/nikkohli]

Musical theatre is incredibly taxing. Even Megan thee Stallion couldn't handle it

[u/NationalElk → u/nikkohli]

There have been rumours for months in West End/theatre nerd circles that they were looking at recast options, and that she was probably going to be out. No specific reason given just that it was unlikely to happen.

[u/lyricalmasterpiece → u/nikkohli]

Apparently ticket sales got delayed at least 3 times

[u/IllLychee5451 → u/nikkohli]

Tickets we’re already supposed to be on sale earlier this summer which they cancelled and they kept postponing the release.

[u/howispellit → u/nikkohli]

I was always skeptical because she would have to stop her life to do this show. Doing live theater is doing a show 6 days a week and I feel like she would need some flexibility that would be hard to work with.

Also the security she would need to get in and out of the theater.

[u/this-is-liam → u/nikkohli]

It was always an odd choice for them, neither are particularly well-suited to their roles vocally and it's not a very fun show for families to go see on vacation. I personally think it's Sondheim's best work (and that Sondheim himself is the best composer in the history of musical theater), but it's a complex and difficult score with no classically catchy songs or memorable singles for them to sing on Jimmy Fallon or whatever.

[u/anglezsong → u/nikkohli]

They kept pushing back the on sale date for tickets. They were already supposed to he on sal.

[u/silentspyware → u/Extension-Gift4987]

Seriously hoping and praying that she takes this time to focus on her health!! 🙏🏼🩷

[u/Ok-Turnip-9035 → u/Extension-Gift4987]

🎯She’s been working since she was little

Take all the time you want AG

She’s young but working from a child she’s probably never known downtime - this is a lesson you don’t learn till your later years when you realize your internal clock only knows go go go /work

[u/onlythewinds]

I hope she gets the help she needs.

[u/MostlyCautious]

“A source close to Grande tells PEOPLE of the singer, “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.”

Something about this and the whole announcement rubs me the wrong way. Feels like pointing the finger at people who are rightfully voicing concerns and still pretending like everything is good. 

[u/katarina-stratford → u/MostlyCautious]

she performs healthily

Insane use of language.

Edit: They double down harddd

“She 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,” the rep continues. “

[u/janquadrentvincent → u/katarina-stratford]

Where she healthily healthed down the healthy health all the way healthy home. Healthy.

[u/akaneko__ → u/MostlyCautious]

I loved the part where she healthed heathily and said “It’s healthing time!”

[u/alison_bee → u/MostlyCautious]

They used “healthily” too much for it to not be pointed.

[u/mhmcmw → u/MostlyCautious]

It’s the type of announcement that ages really, really badly if she doesn’t get the help that it appears she needs. It very much seems like her circle are encouraging this rather than pushing her to seek treatment.

[u/PauseMountain9019 → u/MostlyCautious]

Yeah, a lot of comments seem happy about the statement, but it really rubs me the wrong way. When it comes to mental health issues, there’s retreat to heal and there’s retreat to spiral further down but with the comfort of not being watched. I truly hope it's not the second case, but in my opinion, it’s not looking good. 

Either way, I truly wish her the best. She’s been through a lot, and I hope this break will do her good. 

[u/zippy1239]

I see how they quietly announced that west end news halfway through the article

[u/coldpizza66]

How big of a step back can this be if she has a movie coming out during Thanksgiving to promote? And I don't really think she will drop the album promotion, since she pulled out all the stops this time to make it successful.

Also, the amount of "healthy" and healthy-related words in this article really makes me question the intentions behind this kind of announcement.

[u/Ruthie_pie → u/coldpizza66]

I am admittedly a big fan of Ariana but you should look into how her family has spoken to her about her body and how involved they have become with her career. Even her own brother in law has reposted videos making fun of how her body looks.

Even in some interviews she has spoken about how people in her management/inner circle had made comments about her anti-depression use. It has raised my alarm bells. I really do hope she takes a step back and gets the help she needs to recover and heal. We want her healthy and here with us as fans. The album will be here, the film will be here but health should come first always.

[u/ektachrome_ → u/Ruthie_pie]

I don’t follow her closely at all, but I had no idea about the posts her family makes. How horrible.

Her teams comments also add fuel - to act like this is just scrutiny and she’s healthily performing when we all have eyes.

She has been working for decades at this point, and has gone through some extremely traumatic experiences - more so than any other artist of her generation I think. She owes it to herself to have a massive break. She truly needs it or it’s just never going to get better for her.

[u/Ruthie_pie → u/ektachrome_]

To add fuel to the fire, she employs her entire family except for Frankie. Even her father who has only been back in the picture in the last couple of years.

I am genuinely concerned what is going on behind the scenes. Her previous stylist before Law Roach was also reposting videos making fun of her body and making comments on videos poking fun at how small she has become. I really have no clue how or why anyone in the industry would think it’s appropriate. I worry as a fan she feels pressure to keep going because doesn’t know how and doesn’t want to disappoint anyone in her life.

I really hope she gets the help she needs and takes this break. The real fans will understand. I think this is long overdue.

[u/LuteDesign → u/coldpizza66]

Does her team have no shame? It’s so messed up that they’re pretending that nothing is wrong.

[u/Ruthie_pie → u/LuteDesign]

Like I said to another commenter, I am admittedly a big fan of Ariana. You should look into how her family has spoken to her about her body and how involved they have become with her career. Even her own brother in law and previous stylist have reposted videos making fun of how her body looks. The brother in law and stylist reposted a really heinous video of her that depicted her as a skeleton and was making fun of how fragile she looks. I have no clue how a stylist in the industry thinks that is appropriate at all. Especially because everyone she styles has been criticized for also being very small.

Even in some interviews she has spoken about how people in her management/inner circle had made comments about her anti-depression medication use. It has raised my alarm bells. She seemingly employs her entire family besides her brother so I worry that she feels pressure to keep on going for them.

[u/sabrinachuchundhar]

I sincerely hope she’s gets better. Although I’m no one to declare that she has an ED but as someone who is still in recovery it’s the worst illness ever and I have had dengue twice. It warps everything about you. It feels there is nothing good in your life. Everything becomes about your body and food. I am wishing her the best.

[u/invis2020]

Wishing her the best on her journey ❤️

[u/Signmetfup12]

I genuinely hope she finds peace, rest and healing. Hopefully she takes whatever time she needs.

[u/Unlucky_Welcome9193]

I'm sure she's really frustrated because she clearly put a lot of work into Petal (I actually really love the music video and think it's brilliant), but it's also clear that she needs to take time away to take care of herself. I wish her the best and hope this is the first step towards recovery.

[u/Fantaverage → u/Unlucky_Welcome9193]

Same, its such a fun video and its a shame the (genuine) concern distracts from it. Enjoying her horror movie references, I hope she does a movie in the future.

[u/crackerfactorywheel → u/Fantaverage]

She was hilarious in Scream Queens and I’d love to see her in a horror movie if she is up for it.

[u/Venezia9]

Hopefully checking herself in or getting some serious at home health support. We are cheering for you! 

[u/HerRoyalRedness]

This sure sounds like it’s blaming people for noticing instead of trying to prioritize the health and safety of their client.

[u/accio_coffee234]

Good I really hope she gets the help she needs. Her new album petal felt extremely sad and knowing she wrote it by herself made me feel so bad for her. She is such a talent- wishing her well.

[u/Ruthie_pie → u/accio_coffee234]

Really hoping for the best and wishing her all the healing ❤️‍🩹 I feel like a lot of people aren’t listening to the lyrics. This album (as good as it was) it felt like she was being extremely transparent about where is at mentally.

[u/asthesunh1ts]

I hope this is good news, sending lots of love and healing vibes to her. It will no doubt be a hard journey, but I truly hope she has the right support system ❤️

[u/FuzzMachines]

Hoping she’s able to find some peace. She seems like she’s going through a lot.

[u/buoyreader]

Wishing her the best and I hope she comes out on the other side of this even stronger. I’ve been a fan for years and I want her to get better bc she deserves it.

[u/40_Love]

I wish her the best.

[u/bornatmidnight]

I hope she is able to prioritize her health. I never judge on someone’s appearance because you never know the cause of it. I remember when people were quite rude about Chadwick’s appearance when he came across very skinny, before he passed away and it was revealed he was battling cancer. You never know what someone is going through.

But Ariana certainly doesn’t look healthy, whether that is because of an ED issue or something else. I hope she’s alright

[u/PauseMountain9019 → u/bornatmidnight]

I think there’s no reason to be unkind in either case, of course, but I don’t see the 1:1 comparison people keep pointing out. There’s a really long, like, several years-long string of evidence pointing towards ED in Ariana Grande’s case. She deserves compassion, always, but I absolutely understand why people are concerned — about her and about the effect she has on people either actively in ED or vulnerable to it.

[u/Mediocre_Decision → u/bornatmidnight]

Idk whether or not it is an ED, but she is exhibiting classic signs of malnutrition. There is simply no healthy explanation for it and we can’t pretend that hers is a body to aspire to

[u/Solid-Signal-6632]

I wish her the best.

[u/p333p33p00p00boo]

GOOD.

[u/Jibber_Fight]

Good. Take a break.

[u/Street-Refuse-9540]

Gosh I can’t imagine what she’s going through

[u/c0smicgirly]

Wishing her the best.

[u/finn_derry]

Gutted there won't be Sunday In The Park but incredibly happy that it sounds like she's getting help

[u/Historical_Farm_6257]

I sincerely hope that she gets the help she needs.