Honestly, if you looked at the charts ten years ago, you’d see a girl with a massive ponytail and a four-octave range that basically owned the world. Fast forward to Ariana Grande today 2025, and things look... different. Really different. She isn't just changing her hair or her sound anymore. She’s changing her entire identity.
It's kind of wild to witness.
For over a decade, Ariana was the prototype for the modern pop machine. Hit after hit. Tour after tour. But as we sit here in the early days of 2026, looking back at the whirlwind of 2025, it’s clear the "7 Rings" era is a ghost. She’s traded the latex stages for Ozian bubbles, and she might not be coming back. At least, not in the way we expect.
The "Last Hurrah" and the 2026 exit plan
In late 2025, Ariana sat down on the Good Hang podcast with Amy Poehler and dropped a bit of a bombshell. She called her upcoming 2026 Eternal Sunshine tour her "one last hurrah."
That’s a heavy phrase.
She wasn't being vague about it either. She told Poehler that while she’s excited to hit the road in June 2026—starting in Oakland, California—she doesn't see herself doing it again for a "long, long, long, long time." It’s sort of heartbreaking for the Arianators who’ve been there since Yours Truly, but you can't really blame her. She’s been doing this since she was a kid.
The tour itself is relatively small compared to the massive Sweetener run, despite her selling out ten nights at London’s O2 Arena in literal minutes. It feels more like a goodbye letter than a career milestone.
Why the shift is happening now
It isn’t just about being tired.
👉 See also: Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Acting has become her "soul food." After spending five and a half years living as Glinda for the Wicked films, something in her shifted. She’s been open about how playing the "Good Witch" helped her heal from the traumas of her past—most notably the 2017 Manchester bombing and the intense scrutiny of her 20s.
She’s booked and busy in a way that doesn’t involve a recording studio:
- She just wrapped filming the comedy sequel Focker-In-Law with Ben Stiller.
- She’s joined the cast of American Horror Story Season 13.
- There's even a comedy series in the works.
Basically, she’s reclaiming her theater kid roots. She grew up loving musical theater and comedy, and she’s finally at a point where she has enough money and influence to say "no" to the pop machine.
What's actually going on with the music?
People keep asking about AG8. Is there a new album?
Well, it’s complicated. In March 2025, she released the deluxe version of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead. It had new tracks like "Traffic Lights" (which, weirdly enough, was co-written with Thom Yorke of Radiohead). But since then? It’s been pretty quiet on the music front.
She told fans in July 2025 that she isn’t "abandoning" music, but she’s finding a new balance. Rumors have been flying around Reddit and Twitter that she might be working on new material to drop during the 2026 tour, much like Taylor Swift did. But honestly, most industry insiders think a full new album won't surface until 2027 or 2028. She wants to be a "part-time" singer now.
The Wicked factor: More than just a movie
The release of Wicked: For Good in November 2025 was a massive turning point. It wasn't just a box office hit—raking in over $200 million in its opening weekend—it was a critical validation.
✨ Don't miss: Jeremy Renner Accident Recovery: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
She got a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Critics Choice Awards in January 2026. For a girl who spent years being told she was just a "pop star," that kind of recognition is addictive. She’s mentioned that playing Glinda was the "most demanding role" of her career.
It changed how she sees herself.
She’s not just "Ariana Grande" the brand anymore. She’s an actress who happens to have a once-in-a-generation voice. That distinction matters to her.
Life under the microscope: Ethan Slater and the "noise"
You can't talk about Ariana Grande today without mentioning the relationship that set the internet on fire. Her romance with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater has been the subject of endless (and often "corrosive," as some sources call it) rumors.
By late 2025, the "secret split" rumors were everywhere. People noticed they didn't walk the red carpet together at the Wicked: For Good London premiere. They weren't sitting together at the VMAs.
But here’s the reality: it’s tactical.
Insiders have confirmed that they are very much still together. They just decided to stop feeding the trolls. Slater was spotted backstage at her December 2025 Saturday Night Live hosting gig, and they’ve been seen tucked away at the Mandarin Oriental in London. They’re trying to build a "real" life that isn't for public consumption. Given how her marriage to Dalton Gomez ended under the spotlight, you can't really blame her for wanting to hide this one away.
🔗 Read more: Kendra Wilkinson Photos: Why Her Latest Career Pivot Changes Everything
The R.E.M. Beauty empire
While her music career is on "slow-mo," her business life is on fire. R.E.M. Beauty is now valued at over $500 million.
The Wicked collection she dropped in late 2025 made $1 million in just three hours. Think about that. Under the leadership of CEO André Branch, the brand has doubled its direct-to-consumer sales.
She’s reaching a Gen Z audience that doesn't even necessarily listen to her music—they just like her highlighter. It gives her a level of financial independence that most pop stars dream of. She doesn't have to tour to pay the bills. She’s a mogul now.
The verdict on Ariana Grande today 2025
If you’re looking for the girl who sang "Side to Side," she’s gone.
Ariana Grande today 2025 is a 32-year-old woman who is tired of the treadmill. She’s healing. She’s acting. She’s selling makeup. She’s deeply in love with a guy she’s willing to protect from the press.
She is choosing herself over her "era."
What to expect next:
- The 2026 Tour: This is your last chance to see her live for a long time. Get tickets for the summer dates if you can, but expect a setlist that leans heavily into Eternal Sunshine and her musical theater roots rather than the old hits.
- The Screen Takeover: Keep an eye out for her in Focker-In-Law later this year. It's her big jump into mainstream film comedy.
- The Music Lull: Don't hold your breath for AG8. Enjoy the deluxe tracks and the Wicked soundtrack, because she’s clearly in a "resting" phase with the studio.
The pop star era might be ending, but the "Ariana Grande" era is really just getting started. It’s just going to look a lot more like a Broadway stage and a film set than a stadium tour from here on out.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan wanting to keep up, focus on her R.E.M. Beauty "Flight Crew" updates and her film credits rather than waiting for a surprise album drop. The transition to a full-time actress is her priority for the 2026-2027 cycle.