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Pop superstar and actress Ariana Grande is addressing her upcoming break from the spotlight on her own terms, shutting down fan speculation that negative online chatter forced her decision to step away.

During her performance at Chicago's United Center on Monday night (August 3), the first of three sold-out shows, Ariana paused mid-show to speak directly to the crowd about news of her planned hiatus following her current Eternal Sunshine Tour.

Addressing the arena, she made it clear that her decision to rest was an intentional choice made long before, calling it a step taken from an “empowered place.”

“So basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing,” she told the crowd. “It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it's a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.”

Her onstage statement directly responds to intense social media discussions that flared up following the release of her music video for Petal, where fans voiced widespread concern over her health and appearance.

“Love ya, Ari for life but please please speak out about whatever issues you are facing with your health, it will do more good than staying silent,” one fan commented under a teaser for the video.

“I really hope that you will get better as soon as possible because you really deserve everything in life,” another added.

“I truly hope she finds the peace she is looking for and to cope in healthier ways,” wrote another fan.

However, she also strongly dismissed the idea that these comments played any role in her decision to pause her career.

“I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me... that could not be more the f*ck opposite,” she said to the cheering crowd.

“Honestly, this is not what that is. And I just want to be very, very clear: Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries, they need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes. And also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.”

@varietymagazine #ArianaGrande speaks out about her decision to take a break from her professional career during the first night of her tour in Chicago: “So basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing,” she told the crowd at the #EternalSunshineTour ♬ original sound - Variety

Her live clarification follows an official statement issued by her representative to People, confirming that the singer will take a break after her final global tour show in London on September 1.

Her representative noted: “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.”

As part of her decision, the Wicked star has also withdrawn from the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, where she was set to star alongside Jonathan Bailey.

Ariana Grande released her eighth album, Petal, on July 31. Before her return to music, she paused her recording career to star as Glinda in Wicked and Wicked: For Good, reassuring fans that music remains a top priority.

She will also appear alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in the comedy film Focker-in-Law this November.

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