Ariana Grande “doesn’t see” herself returning to music “anytime soon”

It doesn’t seem like we’ll be getting the pop star persona of Ariana Grande back anytime soon – here’s what she’s had to say about the future of her music career.

• READ MORE: ‘Wicked’ review: hit musical makes gravity-defying leap to the big screen

Earlier this week, Ariana Grande’s label put rumours to rest that the singer would be going on tour in the new year. Despite rumours of Grande touring in support of her latest album ‘Eternal Sunshine’ next year – fan accounts on social media have claimed that Ticketmaster has registered 15 events in her name – Republic Records took to social media to write: “There are no plans for a tour next year, but Ariana remains deeply appreciative of her fans and all the continued love, support and excitement.”

Grande, who released ‘Eternal Sunshine’ this year, has not toured since 2019’s ‘Sweetener’ stretch of shows. As it stands, 2025 will mark her sixth consecutive year without touring as she focuses on other projects.

Speaking to Variety afterwards, Grande clarified on the matter: “I feel so grateful to the acting, and I think my fans know that music and being on stage will always be a part of my life, but I don’t see it coming anytime soon. I think the next few years, hopefully we’ll be exploring different forms of art, and I think acting is feeling like home right now.”

Grande continued: “I am appreciative for [my fans’] understanding. I’m so grateful for the ways in which we’ve grown together over this whole journey with Wicked. But music will always be a part of my life.”

While it’s currently unclear what Grande’s next acting role will be after 2025’s Wicked: For Good, she’s been enjoying her time promoting the acclaimed first part, which hit cinemas last month.

In a four-star review of Wicked, Nick Levine wrote for NME: “Erivo and Grande are both vocally extraordinary. Crucially, they also have crackling chemistry punctuated by Erivo’s bursts of intensity and Grande’s slick comic timing. By the end, you won’t quite be levitating off your seat but you’ll definitely be enchanted enough to stream the soundtrack on the way home. Funny, colourful and full of empathy for outsiders, this film really is the Shiz.”

Ariana Grande’s sentiments echo comments fellow singer-actor Selena Gomez has made recently. Over the last couple of weeks, Gomez has made it a point to reiterate several times that while she’ll always have music around her, she’s more than happy to focus on her acting career at this point in time, and that she doesn’t see music as a “forever thing”.

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