Addressing a crowd in Chicago, the pop star pushed back against her representative's framing of her upcoming hiatus, calling the break a long-planned personal choice rather than a reaction to online negativity.

Grande is stepping down from her role in Sunday in the Park with George to prioritize her wellbeing following an intense promotional cycle for the Wicked films.

The singer is decoupling her professional work from her celebrity persona, withdrawing from a West End play and American Horror Story to prioritize her health and happiness.