'Eternal Sunshine' takes centre stage: Ariana Grande thanks dedicated fans

London, August 16 — Ariana Grande expressed her gratitude to her fans for their "overwhelming" support as she kicked off her O2 residency in the city following her announcement that she would step back from public life. The concert, the first of ten nights at the north Greenwich venue, commenced with a dramatic curtain unveiling the 33-year-old artist, clad in a black corset and accompanied by her band in similar attire.

As the night progressed, Grande remarked that her audience was "by far the loudest" of the tour and professed her deep gratitude for their unwavering support throughout the run. She concluded by stating that these ten dates would mark the final performances in her current tour. During the show, she performed a mix of tracks from her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine, some from her latest album Petal, and her iconic hits like Into You, Thank U, Next, and 7 Rings, alongside a rendition of Lady Gaga's Rain On Me.

Grande's performance was infused with elaborate staging, transforming the lighting rig into a police helicopter and waving to the audience. The concert featured a cinematic feel, with video montages interspersed between acts, including scenes from The Wizard Of Oz as a nod to her role in the Wicked films. The residency follows Grande's decision to take a hiatus from the public eye, a choice she made from a "thoughtful and empowered place" and was not a reaction to external pressures.

She also withdrew from the upcoming London revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical Sunday In The Park With George, with her role being recast. Additionally, Grande reportedly confirmed her relationship with dancer and photographer Ricky Alvarez on Instagram, and her latest album Petal became her sixth consecutive UK number one album.