ariana grande clears
|

Ariana Grande clears the air on her big break

Ariana Grande has finally addressed the timing behind her decision to step away from the spotlight.

She brought it up herself during a stop on her Eternal Sunshine Tour in Chicago on Monday, August 3. Speaking to the crowd, the 33-year-old singer and actress made it clear the choice was not made overnight.

“The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing,” she said. She added that it was a decision she had made quietly, well before it became public.

Grande also pushed back against claims that online criticism had pushed her into this choice. She said the decision came from a confident and thoughtful place, not from outside pressure. According to her, more than one thing can be true at once. People can need boundaries. People can need rest. And this chapter of her career can still be one of the best she has ever had.

Before wrapping up, she turned her attention to her fans. She said no amount of online noise could ever compete with the bond she shares with them. To her, that connection remains the most real thing in the picture.

Her remarks followed a statement from her representative, shared with Deadline just a day earlier. The statement confirmed that Grande plans to step back from public life once her tour ends. Her team said she wants to finish the tour on a high note before taking time away from the spotlight, following months of intense public scrutiny.

The break is not limited to music. Grande has also dropped out of the upcoming West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George. The role would have reunited her with Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.

This news comes shortly after the release of her eighth studio album, Petal. The 12-track project arrived alongside a music video for its lead single. That video sparked fresh concern among fans, many of whom commented on how different she looked.

Grande kicked off the Eternal Sunshine Tour back in June, playing her first show on June 6 in Oakland, California. The tour is set to run for 41 dates total, wrapping up at London’s O2 Arena on September 1.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Deadly heatwave sweeps South Korea, claims 16 live…

    SEOUL: South Korea is grappling with one of the most intense heatwaves in its recorded history, with at least 16 people losing their lives and more than 2,000 others suffering from heat-related illnesses as extreme temperatures continue to grip the country. According to South Korean authorities, the nation recently recorded its highest temperature in 122 years of weather observations, with the southern city of Yangsan reaching a scorching 42.5°C. For the first time, officials have issued an extreme heat warning for the capital, Seoul, highlighting the severity of the ongoing weather conditions. President Lee Jae Myung has instructed government agencies to step up emergency measures to protect vulnerable groups, including the elderly, outdoor workers, and people with underlying health conditions. He also directed officials to closely monitor the country’s electricity supply as soaring demand for cooling systems places added pressure on the power grid. Climate experts say the unprecedented heat is being driven by a combination of persistent high-pressure weather systems and the growing impact of climate change, which has intensified extreme weather events across the region. Authorities continue to urge residents to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and take precautions as the record-breaking heatwave shows little sign of easing.

  • |

    Trump cuts childhood vaccine recommendations as doctors warn of health risks

    US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday calling for fewer childhood vaccinations, limiting core federal guidance to immunisations against 11 diseases. Trump stated the adjustments would offer children “gold-standard” protection while bringing US policies in line with foreign nations that recommend fewer routine shots. The executive directive advises breaking up the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three distinct doses administered across separate clinical visits. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long advocated for reductions in the pediatric vaccine schedule. Medical researchers and global health bodies have repeatedly debunked claims championed by Kennedy alleging a causal link between routine childhood vaccines and autism. The American Academy of Pediatrics and pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck sharply criticised the executive action. “We are evaluating our next steps,” stated Richard Hughes IV, lead legal counsel for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Merck noted there is no published scientific evidence demonstrating clinical advantages to unbundling the MMR vaccine, warning the mandate could induce delayed or skipped immunisations. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a practicing physician, publicly broke with the administration over the decree. “I’m a doctor. This executive order is wrong. The president does not have the expertise to make these changes,” Cassidy said. Cassidy cautioned that unbundling combination shots will force children to endure a higher volume of individual injections to secure identical protection.

  • | |

    Information Ministry accuses Al Jazeera of biased …

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has accused international broadcaster Al Jazeera of presenting a misleading picture of the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, alleging that its coverage selectively portrayed the electoral process. In an official statement, the ministry said the broadcaster reported from selected polling stations in Muzaffarabad and relied on carefully chosen interviews and timings that did not accurately reflect the overall conduct of the elections. It claimed the reporting created a distorted impression of the voting process and failed to represent the broader electoral environment. The ministry further alleged that such coverage appeared aimed at undermining the credibility of the elections and ignoring what it described as the democratic will expressed by voters across the region. It maintained that the people of AJK had exercised their right to vote despite political tensions. Alongside its criticism of the coverage, the ministry reminded foreign media organisations operating in Pakistan that reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi require prior approval under the country’s External Publicity Guidelines. It urged all foreign correspondents to comply with the regulations governing reporting in other parts of the country. The AJK elections, however, remained under intense scrutiny after allegations of irregularities and isolated incidents of violence emerged during polling. Opposition parties accused authorities of interfering in the electoral process, while the ruling coalition exchanged allegations of rigging and misuse of state resources. Human rights organisations also expressed concern over reports of deaths and injuries linked to election-related unrest. They called for transparent and independent investigations into the incidents and stressed that maintaining public order should not come at the expense of fundamental rights, including peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The elections were held against the backdrop of political unrest that has continued in AJK since last year’s protests over governance reforms and constitutional issues. The controversy surrounding reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly also remained a major political issue during the campaign.

  • | |

    IHC seeks answers over delay in judicial appointme…

    ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has asked the federal government to explain the constitutional implications of keeping Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice on judicial appointments pending with President Asif Ali Zardari. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued notices to the president, the federal government and the attorney general on Monday while hearing a petition challenging the delay in approving appointments to the superior courts. The court also directed the respondents to submit separate concise reports detailing when the prime minister’s advice was sent to the president and what action had been taken on it. The case has been fixed for hearing on August 11. The petition was filed by lawyer Luqman Zafar through his counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry, who questioned the prolonged delay in completing the constitutional process for judicial appointments. The Judicial Commission of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, had recommended 19 additional judges and the confirmation of five judges for the high courts during meetings held on July 20 and 21. The recommendations were subsequently forwarded by the prime minister to President Zardari for approval under Article 48 of the Constitution. During Monday’s proceedings, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that the use of the word “shall” in Article 48(1) placed a constitutional duty on the president to act on the prime minister’s advice. He maintained that although the president could return the advice for reconsideration within the prescribed period, the Constitution did not permit an indefinite delay. The counsel further argued that the delay was affecting the administration of justice at a time when the superior courts were already struggling with a growing backlog of cases. According to the petitioner, prolonged vacancies could also undermine the public’s constitutional right to timely access to justice. Justice Tahir directed that notices be served through all available modes. Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez was also asked to ensure that the respondents provide the court with clear timelines regarding the submission and handling of the judicial appointments summary. The presidential delay has already had consequences for the high courts. Four additional judges of the Peshawar High Court whose confirmation had been recommended by the Judicial Commission ceased to hold office on August 4 after their terms expired without formal notifications. A similar situation arose in the Sindh High Court, where an additional judge left office after his extended tenure ended on July 29. The oath-taking ceremony for the newly recommended judges had originally been scheduled for July 27 but was postponed indefinitely after the president neither approved the summary nor returned it for reconsideration. With the matter now coming under judicial scrutiny, the Islamabad High Court is set to examine whether the continued delay in acting on the prime minister’s advice is constitutionally permissible.

  • | | |

    Pakistan receives $3.6 billion in remittances in J…

      KARACHI: Pakistan received $3.6 billion in workers’ remittances from overseas Pakistanis during July 2026, marking a significant increase compared with the same period last year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The central bank reported that remittance inflows increased by 13% year-on-year in July and also recorded a 4.5% rise compared with the previous month. The latest figures highlight the continued importance of overseas Pakistanis in supporting the country’s foreign exchange position and overall economic stability. Saudi Arabia remained the largest source of remittances during the month, sending $913.9 million to Pakistan. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed with $737.3 million, while overseas Pakistanis in the United Kingdom contributed $555.5 million. The United States also remained an important source, accounting for $317.2 million in remittance inflows. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the increase and expressed satisfaction over the $3.6 billion received in July. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, he said the 13% year-on-year increase in remittances was encouraging and reflected the continued contribution of overseas Pakistanis to the national economy. The prime minister also highlighted the 4.5% month-on-month growth, saying that the consistent financial support provided by overseas Pakistanis was playing an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. He described overseas Pakistanis as a valuable and integral part of the country’s economic mainstream. The latest figures have also generated positive expectations regarding Pakistan’s remittance outlook for the ongoing financial year. Topline Research estimated that remittances could reach around $40.1 billion during FY27 if the current trend continues. Economist Dr Khaqan Najeeb said remittances were becoming increasingly important as a source of foreign exchange, particularly at a time when Pakistan’s export sector continued to face difficulties. According to him, the country’s weak domestic economic conditions, limited employment opportunities and significant differences between local and international wages were encouraging more Pakistanis to seek employment abroad. He noted that the movement of workers overseas was resulting in a corresponding flow of foreign exchange back into Pakistan. The economist said these inflows were helping the country manage its balance of payments and reduce pressure on its external accounts. However, he also warned that the growing dependence on remittances highlighted deeper structural weaknesses within the domestic economy. Dr Najeeb pointed out that Pakistan’s increasing reliance on overseas employment reflected the country’s inability to generate enough productive and well-paying jobs at home. While remittances provide valuable financial support and strengthen foreign exchange reserves, he argued that sustainable economic growth requires stronger domestic employment opportunities and a more competitive export sector. The July figures therefore present both an encouraging development and a broader economic challenge. Rising remittances are providing Pakistan with much-needed foreign exchange, but policymakers also face the task of improving domestic economic conditions so that overseas employment becomes a choice rather than a necessity for a growing number of Pakistanis.

  • |

    North Carolina man wins $1 million lottery after trusting his lucky number 7

    A North Carolina man has struck it rich after relying on what he has always believed to be his lucky number, winning a $1 million prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket. According to international media reports, Thomas Moonves, a resident of Biscoe in North Carolina, purchased a $10 Triple Red 777 Jackpot scratch-off ticket from a local convenience store. He said he chose the ticket because the number 7 has always held special meaning in his life. Moonves explained that his connection with the number dates back to his birth, as he was born on the 7th day of the month in 1977. Believing the number had consistently brought him good fortune, he decided to try his luck with a ticket featuring multiple sevens. Soon after buying the ticket, Moonves scratched it on the spot and was stunned to discover he had won the game’s top prize of $1 million. Recalling the unforgettable moment, he said he was overwhelmed with excitement and could hardly believe what he was seeing. The unexpected win turned an ordinary trip to the store into a life-changing experience.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *