Ariana Grande brought a surprise guest to the stage at her August 16 concert at London’s O2 Arena. Her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo joined her for a performance of the musical’s tracks For Good and Happy Days. The appearance occurred during the second of ten scheduled performances at the venue, which mark the final dates of Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour.
The tour currently coincides with Grande’s seventh studio album of the same name. Following the conclusion of these London shows, the singer plans to step away from public appearances and performances. Representatives for Grande confirmed that she intends to take a break from public-facing work once the tour ends on September 1 to address concerns regarding the intense scrutiny she has faced.
This decision follows her recent departure from the West End revival of Sunday in the Park With George. She had been slated to perform alongside Jonathan Bailey in that production before canceling. Grande continues to face significant media attention concerning her physical appearance and personal life, a situation that has intensified throughout her recent promotional schedule for her eighth studio album, Petal.
Grande and Erivo both starred in the film adaptation of Wicked and its follow-up, Wicked: For Good, playing Glinda and Elphaba. Both actors received Academy Award nominations for their performances in those roles. The two maintain a professional connection that has resonated with fans throughout the promotional cycle for their cinematic projects.