Ariana Grande took a moment from her ongoing tour to directly address her upcoming break amid intense discourse on the internet.
After her rep announced that Ariana will be taking time away from the public spotlight following her final stop in her Eternal Sunshine Tour, the 7 Rings singer spoke out about her break plans, clarifying several doubts being discussed on social media platforms.
Ariana Grande says break was not 'impulsive thing'
"The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing," the Wicked star said at her Chicago concert on Monday, August 3.
She continued, "It is something that I had decided to plan, that I had quietly made a long time ago."
Amid online scrutiny, Ariana denied that "negativity was ruining things" for her and explained she made the decision from a "thoughtful and empowered place".
"Multiple things can be true at the same time," she said. "Boundaries can 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 career."
"No matter what noises exist out there," she added, "nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or louder to me as this love that we share."
Ariana Grande to step away from spotlight amid health concerns
Just a day earlier, the Grammy winner's rep shared that Ariana, whose recent appearances have led to public concern about her health, would be stepping away from the spotlight in the coming months.
Besides music, she also parted ways with the upcoming West End revival of "Sunday in the Park with George", where she was set to join her Wicked co-star, Jonathan Bailey.
Prior to announcing her hiatus news, the crooner dropped her eighth studio album Petal, along with the music video for the leading single.
Ariana's appearance in the music video further fuelled ongoing concerns about her well-being, with a source sharing that her album insider "is a fight song, an anthem about the love-hate relationship with the public and their toxicity".
Notably, Ariana Grande will be concluding her Eternal Sunshine Tour on September 1 at London's O2 Arena.