American singer and actress Ariana Grande plans to temporarily “leave the public sphere” after finishing her Eternal Sunshine tour in September, her representative told People. The statement was made amid controversy on social networks about the appearance of the performer in the recent Petal video.
In the video for the title track from her eighth studio album Petal, released on July 31, Grande, 33, appeared as an actress auditioning. Fans on social networks drew attention to the prominent ribs and collarbones of the singer, who chose low-necked dresses for the video.
Reddit users have suggested that Grande may have developed anorexia or another eating disorder in recent years. They considered the demonstration of thinness to be intentional and also associated with a possible disease.
“It was hard for me to watch the film “Wicked.” Part 2,” because most of the time her skeleton was visible, and now it’s even worse,” said user godde8ss.
“I was heavier when I was hospitalized with anorexia and was being fed through a nasogastric tube,” adds MissyMooMoo02.
Some other commentators also compared Grande's appearance to her co-star Karen Carpenter, who died of anorexia nervosa at age 32 in 1983. Carpenter gave concerts until her death.
An unnamed representative of Grande told People that the singer plans to finish her tour “healthy and happy,” and called the album Petal addressed to a “toxic public.”
“She is preparing to end the tour on a high note, happy and healthy, and then take a long-deserved break from public work, which has led to incessant gossip,” the source said.
People adds that Grande also dropped plans to appear in the musical Sunday in the Park with George, which was being rebooted in London's West End in 2027. In the production, the artist was supposed to play together with her partner in the two parts “Evil” Jonathan Bailey.
