Ariana Grande announces a "step back" from public life following "endless, ongoing scrutiny"

Ariana Grande has announced she will be taking a break from public life after wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine tour on September 1.

She was also due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in the upcoming revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George, but has since dropped out.

"Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine tour," said a representative of Grande.

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

In Chicago on Monday night, while performing, Grande  addressed the decision, saying it came from a "thoughtful and empowered place."

"Basically, the announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing," she began.

"It's something that I have decided. It's a plan that I have quietly made a long time ago. It's a decision I was making from a thoughtful and empowered place."

Her announcement came after the release of the music video for 'petal', the title single from her eighth studio album, which caused speculation and concern around her health.

Watch the music video for 'petal' below: