Ariana Grande is set to ‘step back’ from public life amid ‘endless’ scrutiny.

Ariana Grande has spoken publicly for the first time since the announcement that she will be stepping away from the public eye following the conclusion of her current tour.

The “Petal” singer, 33, addressed fans directly in during her latest Eternal Sunshine Tour show in Chicago on Monday night (3 August), just hour after her publicist confirmed the star would be “taking a step back” from public life amid scrutiny over her health and appearance.

Reading from a pre-prepared notes, Grande revealed that “the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It is something that I had decided to plan… quietly, a long time ago.”

The Wicked star, whose latest music video for “Petal” sparked a renewed wave of public concern over her appearance, continued: “I heard my fans were worried negativity was ruining things for me but… that could not be more than the opposite.

“Boundaries need to be set, human beings do need a break sometimes.”

An emotional Grande, who has also withdrawn from next year’s stage production of Sunday in the Park with George, in which she was due to appear with Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, paid tribute to fans during the mid-show speech.

“No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or not as real to me as this love that we share”, she said.

A representative for Grande told People magazine on Monday that the performer would be taking a “well-earned break” amid “endless, ongoing public scrutiny”.

The Eternal Sunshine Tour is due to which conclude 1 September following a 10-night run in London.

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