American star Ariana Grande concluded her “Eternal Sunshine” tour on Tuesday evening in London before retiring from public life for an indefinite period, while her physical appearance and her weight loss have sparked numerous reactions for months.
This tour by Ariana Grande, who at 33 is one of the most famous pop stars in the world, started in June in North America and ended in London with 10 concerts, all of which were sold out. For the last date, Tuesday evening, an excitement tinged with sadness reigned among the fans met by AFP before the concert.
“It’s the end of an era”
Jadey, a 21-year-old Dutch woman working in tourism, said she had been waiting for the concert “for almost a year”. But “it’s the end of an era for me and many fans,” she added, referring to the star’s withdrawal.
“It’s a mixed feeling: I’m sad, but I think it will do him good to take a break,” commented Kane, a 27-year-old presenter living in the north-east of England. “Tonight is going to be a really special moment,” adds his sister, Heather.
Conclude in style
At the beginning of August, a representative for Ariana Grande indicated that she wanted to take “a step back” from public life, her numerous appearances having “resulted in incessant and permanent comments”. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and concluding it in beauty, health and joy, then taking a well-deserved rest away from her work and public appearances,” her team said in a statement.
The clip for “Petal”, the flagship track of her latest album, in which she appears very thin, has fueled questions about the singer’s state of health.
Questioned by AFP, several fans defended the star and deplored the “toxic” comments on social networks. “I don’t think people outside of his circle should be allowed to comment on him,” said Yan Li, 21, a graphic designer from Hong Kong.
Ariana Grande, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2025 for her role in the film “Wicked,” has given up on playing in a musical that was planned for London in 2027.
The star has a deep history with England. In May 2017, 22 people including seven children were killed leaving the concert she gave in Manchester in a bomb attack.
