Honestly, if you've been on social media for more than five minutes lately, you’ve probably seen the "AG8" countdowns. It’s wild. Fans are basically convinced that a follow-up to eternal sunshine is right around the corner. Some people are pointing to "glitches" in recent interviews, while others are dissecting every single Instagram caption for a hint of a new era.
But here’s the thing. Ariana Grande just shut it all down. Well, mostly.
Earlier this month, a Variety interview went viral because it quoted her saying "nothing is coming before May," which sent the internet into a full-on tailspin. Everyone assumed a summer drop was a lock. Then, Ari herself hopped into a fan's comment section to clear the air. She basically said she never mentioned specific months and joked that she’d need an "extra brain and four more arms" to actually record an album right now.
Why AG8 isn't happening just yet
It’s easy to forget just how much is on her plate. We’re currently in the middle of a massive Wicked awards circuit. She’s already picked up Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations for her role as Glinda. That’s a full-time job by itself.
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But the real reason a new Ariana Grande album isn't the priority right now is The Eternal Sunshine Tour. This is her first proper tour since 2019. Think about that for a second. It’s been seven years since the Sweetener world tour wrapped up. She’s scheduled to kick things off in Oakland on June 6, 2026, and the itinerary is stacked:
- North American Leg: Rolling through Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Chicago.
- The London Residency: A massive five-night run at The O2 in August.
- The Rehearsal Grind: She’s already confirmed that rehearsals are starting "very soon," and anyone who knows her work ethic knows she doesn't half-step the production.
Between the tour prep and her acting gigs—like the upcoming Focker In-Law movie and American Horror Story season 13—there just isn't a world where she’s secretly mixing a 12-track LP in the back of a tour bus. She’s even hinted that this tour might be her "last hurrah" for a very long time.
The "Multitudes" project and the Deluxe era
So, if there's no new album, why is everyone still talking? It's because she’s a master of the "slow burn." We just got the eternal sunshine (brighter days ahead) deluxe edition, which added tracks like "Hampstead" and "Dandelion." For most artists, a deluxe drop is a signal that an era is closing.
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But Ari mentioned something to Variety that has everyone's ears perking up. She teased a mystery project that "contains multitudes." What does that even mean?
- It might not be music. She’s heavily invested in the West End right now. There are confirmed reports of her reuniting with Jonathan Bailey for a revival of Sunday in the Park with George at London's Barbican.
- It could be a soundtrack. With Oh, the Places You'll Go! (the Dr. Seuss adaptation) on the horizon, she might be working on original music that doesn't fall under the "AG8" umbrella.
- The "Clone" Joke. When she joked about needing a clone to write an album, she was being dead serious about her burnout. She’s been Glinda for years. Transitioning back into "Ariana Grande the Pop Star" takes mental real estate she’s currently using for rehearsals.
What the fans are getting wrong about the timeline
There's a specific rumor floating around that she has a secret album titled Wuthering Heights slated for February 2026. Let's be real: that’s almost certainly fan fiction. While some outlets have picked it up, there’s zero official confirmation.
The reality is that Ariana is 32 now. She’s not the 20-year-old who dropped Yours Truly and My Everything back-to-back. She’s expressed a lot of interest in "exercising different muscles." If you're looking for a new Ariana Grande album, you're likely looking at 2027 at the earliest.
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What you should actually keep an eye on
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, stop looking for release dates and start looking at her collaborators. Max Martin is still in the inner circle. She’s been seen with Ilya Salmanzadeh. But for now, the "new music" is going to be the live arrangements of eternal sunshine songs on tour.
Actionable steps for Arianators:
- Secure your Tour Tickets: Since she's hinted this is her last tour for the "foreseeable future," these shows in Oakland, LA, and London are going to be historical.
- Watch the "Wicked" Sequel: Wicked: For Good is the current focus. Her performance there is basically the blueprint for her current vocal style—more legit, more operatic.
- Ignore the "May" Rumors: She’s explicitly denied that anything is coming before the tour. Don't set yourself up for disappointment by circling dates on your calendar that she’s already debunked.
Basically, enjoy the era we're in. We spent years waiting for eternal sunshine, and now we finally get to see it live. That’s a win.
Instead of hunting for the next record, maybe just lean into the "multitudes" she’s already giving us. Between the movies, the makeup, and the upcoming West End run, she’s busier than she’s ever been. The album will happen when she has that "extra brain" she mentioned. Until then, we've got plenty to keep us busy.