Emotional Finale in London
Ariana Grande brought her Eternal Sunshine tour to a close on Tuesday night in London, an event marked by visible emotion. She was near tears during One Last Time, a song that has become an anthem for survivors of the 2017 Manchester attack. Kneeling to be closer to the audience, she asked the crowd for help singing the song.[S1]
Despite a foot injury that forced her to swap her usual stilettos for platform boots, Grande performed energetically, often on tiptoe to compensate for the height difference. Her voice briefly faltered during Nowhere, Nobody, but she quickly regained composure, delivering a professional and magnetic performance throughout the night.[S1]
Announced Hiatus and Fan Reactions
In the previous month, Grande declared she would pause her public engagements, amid widespread conjecture regarding her well-being and looks. This involves pulling out of a Stephen Sondheim production at London's Barbican, where she was set to perform alongside Jonathan Bailey, her Wicked co-star, who also withdrew.[S1]
Fans at the final show expressed understanding and support. Rachid, a London fan, said he was devastated by her withdrawal from touring, which is why he wanted to attend the last show. Nadine from Manchester joked she would do the same, while Lukas from France said it was good to see Grande taking care of herself. Alejandro Grande, a Polish fan, noted the sadness of speculation about someone else's health.[S1]
Tour Highlights and Critical Reception
The tour, which began in the US in June, was described by Grande as "one last hurrah" as she plans to focus on acting after her Oscar-nominated role in Wicked. The London residency at the O2 Arena drew 200,000 attendees from around the world, with some flying in from China, Australia, and across Europe.[S1]
Reviews were largely positive. Rolling Stone called Grande one of the best singers of her generation, noting no signs of struggle. The Guardian's Kate Solomon expressed genuine concern, while The Telegraph called the show "flawless" and the BBC highlighted intimate moments. On the second night, Grande surprised fans by bringing out Cynthia Erivo for a duet of For Good.[S1][S2]
Acknowledging Gratitude and Boundaries
Addressing the audience, Grande expressed gratitude, saying the tour was one of the most beautiful experiences of her life. She thanked fans for their support and effort, emphasizing that she cherished every minute. Earlier, she had spoken about setting boundaries, noting that human beings need breaks sometimes.[S1]
Grande's representative cited "endless, ongoing public scrutiny" as the reason for her "step back from visibility." Grande assured fans that the choice was deliberate and empowering, and had been in the works for a while. She concluded the show as usual, rising into the O2's rafters, leaving fans uncertain about her next performance.[S1][S2]
