Ariana Grande just announced her first tour in six years—and it turns out she’s been anything but idle since her last run of shows. While many know she’s been deep in the world of Wicked, that’s only part of the story.

Arianators everywhere are celebrating the end of the long wait for new live performances. The singer revealed plans for her “Eternal Sunshine” tour in 2026, sending fans into a frenzy as she mapped out dates across the U.S. and Canada before finishing in London.

The surprise announcement followed a mysterious video posted to her Instagram on August 27th. In the clip, Grande’s hand shakes as she attempts to tap a screen that reads: “A corrupt file has been found and corrected.” The video then cuts to text saying: “See you next year… Announcement loading…”

The news came as a pleasant shock. Only months earlier, in a December 2024 interview with Variety, Grande had hinted that touring wasn’t in her immediate plans. “My fans know that music and performing will always be part of me, but I don’t see a tour happening soon,” she explained. “I want to explore other art forms, and right now, acting feels like home.”

She added, “I’m thankful for my fans’ patience. We’ve grown so much together throughout the Wicked journey. But music will always be my lifeline—even if I’m just performing at my mom’s house.”

After some fans expressed disappointment online, Grande responded in a July post, assuring them: “I’m working on a plan to sing for you all next year—even if it’s just for a little while.” She playfully scolded, “It’s silly to think that just because I’m busy with other projects, I’d ever abandon music. It’s my heart. There has to be space for everything.”

So what has Ariana been doing since the Sweetener World Tour wrapped in late 2019?

Following the tour—which spanned 101 dates in support of her albums Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019)—Grande didn’t exactly disappear. She stayed in the spotlight, just in different ways.

Despite the global slowdown in 2020, she kept busy: releasing the charity single “Stuck with U” with Justin Bieber, dropping her sixth studio album Positions, performing at the Grammys, and collaborating with Lady Gaga on the smash “Rain On Me.” She also bought a new home in Hollywood Hills and confirmed her relationship with real estate agent Dalton Gomez. The couple got engaged by year’s end.

2021 was equally eventful: Grande married Gomez in an intimate ceremony, released a star-packed remix of “34+35” with Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, and launched her beauty brand r.e.m. beauty. She also appeared in the film Don’t Look Up and joined season 21 of The Voice as a coach.

The following year, she focused on expanding her business—unveiling a second chapter of R.E.M. Beauty and introducing a body care line, God Is A Woman. Then came Wicked. Landing the role of Glinda was a dream come true for Grande, who committed fully to the film adaptation—so much so that 2022 became the first year since her debut without any new music releases.

In 2023, Wicked production was in full swing. Grande finalized her divorce from Gomez and began dating co-star Ethan Slater. She still found time to feature on The Weeknd’s “Die For You” remix, launch her 13th fragrance Cloud Pink, and make a guest appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Come 2024, Grande was immersed in promoting Wicked—but still delivered her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine. She also faced public scrutiny over her new relationship, changing appearance, and health during the press tour.

Now, in 2025, she’s gearing up for another round of promotions for Wicked: Part Two—all while likely working behind the scenes to prepare for her highly anticipated return to the stage.