International pop superstar and actress Ariana Grande took to social media to address rumors that she is abandoning her music career to focus solely on acting.
On her Instagram page, Grande responded to speculations about her retirement from music, calling the rumors “very silly.”
“very silly of you all to assume that just because i have my hands full with many things that i plan to abandon singing & music … !!!” she wrote.
She emphasized her deep connection to music, saying, “it is and has always been my lifeline. there will need to be room made for all of it. 🧚🏼♂️.”
The “we can’t be friends” hitmaker expressed how grateful and inspired she feels in this current phase of her career, juggling multiple creative projects.
“it may not look exactly like it did before but i much prefer how it looks in my head. i am having fun. i feel grateful and excited and inspired. :) finding a balance, between many projects and endeavors i love, and doing it my own way,” she added.
The singer then hinted at exciting plans for fans, revealing she’s working on a possible tour or new music release next year.
“so i’m working on a plan to sing for you all next year. even if it’s just for a little. i love you,” she said.
Currently, Ariana is focused on her acting commitments, including her role as Glinda in Wicked: For Good, the second part of the highly anticipated film adaptation set to premiere in November 2025. She will be part of the fourth installment of Meet the Parents along with Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller who are set to reprise their roles in the film.
READ: Ariana Grande to star in fourth installment of ‘Meet the Parents’ film
Ariana is also one of the voice cast for the upcoming animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, directed by Wicked filmmaker Jon M. Chu and Jill Culton alongside Josh Gad. The movie is set to release in March 2028.
In a statement to Variety, a representative for Ariana confirmed that while she is enjoying her time in the film industry, music remains her top priority.
“Ariana’s plate is definitely full right now, but she’s genuinely enjoying this chapter. She’s loving the opportunity to dive deeper into acting, and she remains incredibly hands-on with her various businesses. That said, Ariana has always been and continues to be a musician first. The goal is to find a rhythm where all of these creative outlets can coexist, and she’s very much in the process of building that balance out,” the representative said.
Rumors surrounding Ariana’s retirement from music began circulating last year, as fans and online users speculated whether she would continue releasing new music or go on tour following the success of her film Wicked and her increasingly packed filming schedule.
In an interview with Variety during the Golden Globes First-Time Nominees Luncheon, Ariana expressed her gratitude for the opportunities she’s receiving in acting, while acknowledging her enduring connection to music.
“I feel so grateful to the acting, and I think my fans know that music and being on stage will always be a part of my life, but I don’t see it coming anytime soon. I think the next few years, hopefully we’ll be exploring different forms of art, and I think acting is feeling like home right now,” Ariana said.
She went on: "I am appreciative for [my fans’] understanding. I’m so grateful for the ways in which we’ve grown together over this whole journey with ‘Wicked.’ But music will always be a part of my life.”
Prior to her current film schedule, Ariana released her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, in 2024, featuring hit singles such as “yes, and?”, “supernatural,” “the boy is mine,” and “we can’t be friends.” She followed it up with a deluxe edition titled Brighter Days Ahead in 2025.
Ariana’s last concert tour was in 2019 with the Sweetener World Tour, which celebrated her critically acclaimed albums Sweetener and Thank U, Next.