Ariana Grande brought her Eternal Sunshine Tour to a close in tears, thanking fans during her 41st and final show at London's O2 Arena on Tuesday night before stepping back from public life for the foreseeable future.
About an hour and a half into the two-hour set, Grande paused to address the sold-out crowd. "This has been such an extraordinary experience," she told fans. "Thank you for 10 beautiful London shows and for 41 incredible Eternal Sunshine tour shows."
The concert capped a 10-night residency at the O2 - the final stretch of a tour that began June 6 in Oakland, California, and spanned the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Grande's team announced last month that she would "take a step back from visibility" once the tour wrapped, citing what her representative called "endless, ongoing public scrutiny." The statement added that Grande was looking forward to "ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances."
Hours before her final show, "Wicked" co-star Jonathan Bailey announced he was also withdrawing from the West End revival of "Sunday in the Park With George," a project the two had been set to reunite for, saying his support for Grande "is unwavering." Producers confirmed the show will move forward next summer at the Barbican with new casting to be announced.
Despite the break, Grande is still expected to appear on screen this November in "Focker-In-Law," alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro - a trailer for which played for the O2 crowd just before her final set.
As she steps out of the spotlight, it's worth holding her - and every artist carrying the weight of public life - in prayer for real rest.
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