Ariana Grande is opening up about her renewed relationship with music, revealing that stepping away from the spotlight was essential to rediscovering the joy in her craft. In a thoughtful new cover story for Interview Magazine, the pop superstar speaks with Nicole Kidman about how time, distance, and a shift in perspective helped her reconnect with the part of her life that once felt overwhelming.
Grande explained that the period leading up to her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine marked a turning point. “I spent a lot of time redoing my system when it comes to making music,” she said, describing a reset that allowed her to separate her creative instincts from the pressures of fame. She noted that reclaiming her love for music required putting certain feelings “in a box somewhere else,” letting her focus instead on gratitude, intuition, and the joy of creation. The break, she said, helped her shed emotional weight she had been carrying for years. “I think it just held some traumas for me before, and I feel those dissipating, and that is such an extraordinarily beautiful thing.”
Related
Much of that healing came through acting, particularly her work on Wicked, where embodying Glinda helped her build confidence and rediscover her artistic center. Ariana said the process strengthened her enough to make space for music again, “taking baby steps” toward rebuilding a healthier relationship with her career.
Her reflections arrive after one of the most successful eras of her career. Eternal Sunshine debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, scored three Grammy nominations, and produced two Hot 100 chart-toppers—“Yes, And?” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).” The deluxe edition, released in March 2025, expanded the album’s universe with new tracks and a short film titled Brighter Days Ahead.
Now, as she prepares for the Eternal Sunshine Tour in 2026, the 32-year-old singer is approaching live performances with both excitement and clarity. Speaking recently on Good Hang with Amy Poehler, she hinted the upcoming tour may mark a temporary farewell to the road. Calling it a “one last hurrah,” she suggested a lengthy break may follow.
Leave a Reply