Is This Goodbye to Ariana Grande?

On Tuesday night, Ariana Grande finished her Eternal Sunshine Tour, and effectively stepped back from public life. Grande was occasionally close to tears during the show, most notably while singing One Last Time, the song that took on extra meaning as an anthem for survivors of the 2017 Manchester terror attack following her concert. 

“London, I’m going to need you to help me on this one,” she said, kneeling down to be near the audience throughout the performance.

Last month, Grande announced a break from all future public-facing appearances following months of intense speculation about her health and appearance.

The step-back includes Grande’s withdrawal from a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George at London’s Barbican next summer. She was due to appear alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, but he too has pulled out of the production.

She ended the last Eternal Sunshine show as she always does, attached to a harness, ascending into the rafters and disappearing. Fans were left wondering when, if ever, they’d see her perform again.

Career

Few modern pop stars have travelled as extraordinary a path as Ariana Grande. From child performer to television actress, global recording artist and one of the defining voices of contemporary pop, Grande has built a career characterised by remarkable vocal ability, reinvention and an enduring connection with her audience.

Born on 26 June 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida, Ariana Grande-Butera showed an early interest in performing. As a child she appeared in musical theatre before landing her breakthrough role as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon television series Victorious in 2010. The character’s distinctive personality and Grande’s comic timing made her a favourite with young viewers, but the show also provided a platform for audiences to discover her extraordinary singing voice.

Grande began establishing herself as a recording artist with her 2013 debut album, Yours Truly. Led by the single The Way, the album introduced a singer whose music drew heavily on 1990s R&B and pop while showcasing an unusually mature and powerful vocal style. Her impressive range and distinctive whistle-register notes immediately attracted comparisons with some of the great vocalists of earlier generations.

Her second album, My Everything, released in 2014, transformed Grande into a major international pop star. Hits including Problem, Break Free and Love Me Harderdemonstrated her ability to move comfortably between R&B, dance-pop and mainstream radio. Dangerous Woman followed in 2016, revealing a more confident and mature performer, with its title track and songs such as Into You reinforcing her reputation as both a vocalist and pop powerhouse.

Grande’s career has also been marked by extraordinary resilience in the face of personal tragedy. The 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which occurred following her concert and claimed 22 lives, profoundly affected her and her fans. Grande responded by returning to Manchester for the One Love Manchester benefit concert, helping raise millions for victims and their families. Her response demonstrated a compassion and determination that extended far beyond her work as an entertainer.

Experience

Musically, she reached another peak with Sweetener in 2018. Blending pop, R&B and experimental production, the album produced the hits No Tears Left to Cry, God Is a Woman and Breathin’. Its follow-up, Thank U, Next, arrived just months later and became one of the most significant pop albums of its era. The title track, 7 Rings and Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored showcased an artist increasingly willing to transform difficult experiences into commercially successful and culturally resonant music.

Grande subsequently explored more intimate and sophisticated sounds. Positions (2020) emphasised sensual R&B influences, while later work has demonstrated her continuing interest in vocal performance and artistic development. Her ability to move between commercial pop, soulful ballads and intricate vocal arrangements has helped sustain her relevance in an industry where musical fashions change rapidly.

Beyond music, Grande has developed a substantial career in film and theatre. Her return to musical theatre roots became particularly significant with her role as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked, introducing her to another generation while allowing her to demonstrate the classical and theatrical dimensions of her voice.

Herself

It’s unlikely that this is the last we will see of Ariana Grande, though she may no longer take on the physically gruelling tour schedules of the past. It’s more likely that she will now concentrate on acting – Grande had described the Eternal Sunshine tour, which started in the US in June, as “one last hurrah”, saying she wanted to take more acting roles after her Oscar-nominated performance in Wicked.

Ariana Grande’s greatest achievement may be her ability to combine technical excellence with emotional immediacy. Her voice is instantly recognisable, but her appeal goes beyond vocal range. She has repeatedly turned vulnerability, heartbreak, humour and perseverance into music that millions of people find deeply personal.

From Nickelodeon star to international pop phenomenon and acclaimed musical performer, Grande’s career remains a remarkable example of evolution. Her story is ultimately one of talent matched by resilience—and of an artist who has continued to grow while remaining unmistakably herself.

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