Ariana Grande performed in cozy footwear rather than her signature heels during Monday night’s Eternal Sunshine Tour concert at London’s O2 Arena, after revealing that she was recovering from a deep cut on her foot.
Hours before taking the stage, Grande addressed her fans on Instagram Stories, explaining that she would need to wear comfortable shoes for the evening’s performance and possibly the final London show as well. “I will need to be in cozy footwear for this evenings show,” she wrote, adding that she was “bandaged up underneath” while recovering from the injury.
Ariana Grande clarified that the issue was not a sprain or muscular injury, but a “deep cut,” and acknowledged that she might have some difficulty putting weight on the affected foot. She also reassured fans that she was on the mend and planned to perform as scheduled.
The pop star ultimately appeared onstage in Ugg-style boots, replacing the towering custom Christian Louboutin platforms that have become a defining part of her Eternal Sunshine Tour wardrobe. Fan-shot footage from the O2 Arena showed Ariana Grande moving carefully at points during the performance, but she continued with the show and delivered the planned set.
Grande even joked about the change in footwear, telling fans they would see her “a few inches shorter than usual.” Despite the unexpected adjustment, the concert continued as planned, allowing her to reach the penultimate night of the 41-date tour.
Monday’s performance marked the ninth of Ariana Grande’s sold-out 10-night London residency, which represents the only European stop on the Eternal Sunshine Tour. The tour began in Oakland in June and will officially conclude with Tuesday night’s concert at the O2 Arena, bringing Grande’s first major headline tour since the Sweetener World Tour in 2019 to a close.
The London run has also carried added significance for Ariana Grande after years away from the road. Following her Oscar-nominated performance in Wicked and the release of her latest music, including new album Petal, the singer has described returning to live performance as a healing experience. She has also indicated that she plans to step back from public-facing work and appearances for an extended period once the tour ends.
Monday’s show brought a few musical surprises alongside the footwear change. Ariana Grande performed “freak” and “warning signs (interlude)” live for the first time during the London residency, giving fans another reason to remember the penultimate night.
With one concert left, Grande now has only Tuesday’s final O2 Arena performance between herself and the end of the Eternal Sunshine Tour.
Photo: Julian Dakdouk
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