Ariana Grande kicked off her Eternal Sunshine Tour nearly two months ago — and boy, a lot has changed since.
She’s famously tweaked a key lyric in “Thank U, Next” (changing: “wrote some songs about Ricky/ now I listen and laugh” to: “wrote some songs about Ricky/ we always find our way back”) to reflect their alleged rekindled relationship; she released her eighth studio album, petal, adding songs from the project into her setlist; and, most recently, a rep announced Grande’s upcoming break from the public, including recasting her role in the West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George.
As a result of so much change, The Eternal Sunshine Tour has become this ever-evolving, real-time commentary on Grande’s life straight from the source. And at a time when so many have so much to say about her — with social media aflame over everything from her actions to her appearance — Grande did something refreshing. She commented on that, too.
On Sunday (Aug. 3), a representative for Grande shared with People: “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. 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. This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Grande confirmed the last bit herself, beginning Act II of her set with a near five-minute speech. “Is it okay if I talk to you guys for a little bit?” she asked instead of diving right into “eternal sunshine” as per usual. “First of all, I just want to say I love you so much and I’m so happy to be here with you. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Then, in a rare move for anyone let alone a pop star at her level, she shared thoughts she had typed down in direct response to the comments and headlines about her that had reached a boiling point over the last 24 hours. And yes, of course, some will surely find fault with what she shared — or didn’t. But the placement of this speech within the set was entirely intentional. Once she was down with what she had to say, she immediately created an echo chamber via pedal loop of her own voice repeating in harmony: “I don’t care what people say is true.”
And during her first Chicago show, that sentiment stayed top of mind; Grande very well may care what people say, but when it comes to the truth, she is the only one who can discern that for herself.
From her speech to the live debut of petal songs added to the setlist, read below for all that changed in Grande’s first show since the album — and the headlines — dropped last weekend.
