Ariana Grande was stuck in an elevator with her boyfriend Ricky Alvarez and her team moments after she wrapped up her Eternal Sunshine Tour at London’s The O2 arena on September 1.
Ariana Grande got trapped in an elevator moments after the final show of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
The 33-year-old pop star wrapped up her 41-date run across the USA, Canada, and the UK at London’s The O2 arena on September 1, but she and her team found themselves stuck in the elevator as they tried to force the doors open, just as Ariana was preparing to go on a career break.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday (12.09.26), the 7 Rings hitmaker shared a string of pictures from the Eternal Sunshine Tour and revealed the unexpected elevator mishap.
One black-and-white shot showed Ariana and her team member CJ Robinson trying hard to open the doors, with the caption: “Stuck in an elevator moments after our final show.”
And in another black-and-white photo, her boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, 35, was seen trying to help, and Ariana wrote in the caption: “Continued (i almost had it tbh).”
In the post’s comments section, Ricky penned that the Wicked star “wouldn’t want to be stuck in an elevator with anyone else xoxo”.
Before getting stuck in the elevator, Ariana broke down in tears on stage, bidding an emotional farewell to her fans as she steps back from the spotlight.
Per the Daily Mail, the Thank U, Next artist choked up as she told the crowd: “It’s been the most beautiful, extraordinary experiences of my life, and I just want to express my gratitude without sobbing.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart, it has been so special, and I’ll cherish this experience always, and I have the best fans in the entire world, and I always have.”
In tears, she ended her speech by thanking fans for “being by my side all the way from Honeymoon Avenue to Hampstead”.
Ariana also became emotional while performing One Last Time (Attends‐moi), asking the crowd to help her sing as she struggled to get the words out.
Hours before her final show, Jonathan Bailey, 38, announced he had pulled out of Sunday in the Park with George – a month after she withdrew from the production – in support of his “dearest friend” choosing to take a “step back from visibility”.
Jonathan took to his Instagram Stories and penned: “Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering.
“Marianne [Sunday in the Park With George’s director] is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends.
“After much consideration, I have decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George.
“This brilliant, introspective musical has been a real passion project for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared in its journey with this team.
“Among many things, the story explores the deep connection between George and Dot, a beautiful, devoted pairing, and I so look forward to seeing what the two actors who will now take on these roles will create with it.
“I wish the very best to the entire company. I will be cheering them on as they continue with this production.
“Jonny x.”
Following his announcement, Empire Street Productions, the producers of Sunday in the Park with George, confirmed the show will go ahead as planned next summer at the Barbican Centre in London, while they search for new stars to replace him and Ariana.
Taking to its Instagram Stories, Empire Street Productions wrote: “Following Ariana Grande’s withdrawal, Jonathan Bailey has informed the producers that he has also decided to withdraw from Sunday in the Park with George.
“Work on the production continues. Casting discussions are actively underway, and the creative team is reshaping the production around a new company while preserving the ambition and artistic integrity of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical.
“Further casting and production details will be announced in due course.”
Ariana paused her concert at the United Center in Chicago on August 3 to tell the audience her decision to step back from public life after her Eternal Sunshine Tour was made “a long time ago”, not in response to online discussion over her appearance.
During a four-minute speech, Ariana said: “Can we get a little real tonight?”
She continued: “The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing.
“It is something that I had decided to plan. It was a thoughtful decision. It was an empowering decision. I made it quietly, a long time ago.”
Ariana also dismissed claims that criticism on social media about her body had forced her into taking a break.
The God Is a Woman performer said: “No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me… as this love that we share.”
Ariana then described the tour as “one of the most healing, beautiful, correct and special experiences” she has ever had.
Before returning to the performance, the Wicked star told the audience: “That felt good. I wish that words were enough to articulate how much I love you.”
Ariana Grande trapped in elevator moments after final Eternal Sunshine Tour show
