Ariana Grande revealed she is performing through a painful foot injury just hours before her final London concerts.
Grande, 31, told fans via Instagram Story on Monday that a deep cut on her foot has left her bandaged and unable to wear her trademark performance heels for at least the penultimate show of her Eternal Sunshine tour. The injury comes as the pop star prepares to wrap the trek with two nights at London’s O2 Arena before taking an extended break she first announced last month.
“My sweet petals, I wanted to let you know I will need to be in cozy footwear for this evening’s show (and possibly tomorrow’s) as I am bandaged up underneath, recovering from a minor injury,” she wrote on Instagram Story. “It is not a sprain or anything muscular but just a deep cut!”
The Grammy winner explained that the location and severity of the laceration makes her usual sky-high stilettos and platform boots impossible for the remaining dates. Grande has built much of her stage identity around performing complex choreography in towering heels while maintaining her signature vocal runs.
“So when you see me tonight without my signature heels, or even possibly having a little trouble putting weight on that foot, that is why!” she continued on Instagram Story. “But please do not fret. On with the show and I am on the mend!”
Despite the discomfort, Grande emphasized she has no plans to withdraw from her final performances. She noted that medical staff are helping manage the wound backstage between rehearsals, and she is adapting her choreography to safely complete the tour.
“I cannot wait to perform for you tonight and tomorrow (even if I am a few inches shorter than usual) … I love you always ♾️,” she wrote on Instagram Story.
The injury announcement arrives just two days before Grande’s scheduled extended hiatus, a decision she addressed directly with fans during an August 3 show. She sought to clarify that the break was long-planned rather than reactive to any negative coverage.
“Sometimes when a story comes out that’s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion,” she told her audience that night. “So I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much. The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing.”
She continued, “It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.”
Grante added that while boundaries needed “to be set,” she also wanted a well-deserved “break.”
“Also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life,” she shared. “No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or elaborate to me than this love that we share. The rest of that s— is not mine to carry, so I don’t carry it.”
The “Wicked” star described the tour as “the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life” and said she needed to “differentiate” her truth from outside narratives for her fans.
Grande’s flat-shoe performances mark a notable departure for an artist who has spent her career executing intricate dance routines in six-inch heels. Fans on social media quickly sent well-wishes and noted that seeing the pop powerhouse perform in sneakers or flats would be a rare sight at her live shows.
Grande is scheduled to perform her final Eternal Sunshine tour show in London on Tuesday.