Ariana Grande was MIA at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards following the announcement that she would be taking a step back from the public spotlight.
Grande, 33, missed the star-studded event held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, as she took a break from the public amid backlash over her appearance.
Grande is nominated for eight awards this year, including Video of the Year, Best Pop Song, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects and Song of the Summer for her hit “I Hate the Way You Love Me.” Grande is also nominated for the Best Artist award.
Grande’s decision to skip the celebration night comes after she announced in August that she was “taking a step back” from the public due to the “negativity” she had faced about her body and weight in recent months.
“Sometimes when a story comes out that isn’t directly from me, things can get a little exaggerated,” he told his audience during his speech. Eternal Sunshine Tour shortly after the announcement. “That’s why I wanted to speak directly to my fans tonight because I love you so much. The announcement made yesterday was not a reactionary or impulsive thing.”
The singer continued, “This was a quiet planning I made a long time ago, and it was a decision made thoughtfully and from a strong place. And I want you to know that many things can be true at the same time. I want to share this because I’ve heard my fans worry that the negativity is ruining things for me, but I have to say it can’t be the other way around.”
Ariana Grande has gushed over her “Petal” music video, days after her team announced she would be “taking a step back” from the public eye amid intense “scrutiny” for her appearance. “Blooming and firmly planted… ꕤ,” the 33-year-old pop star wrote on Instagram on Wednesday, August 5, along with a few behind-the-scenes photos from the music. […]
Grande added that boundaries need to be “set,” but she also wants to relax and take a well-deserved “break.”
“It may also be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life,” he said. “No matter what voices are out there, nothing can distort my reality or be more real or detailed to me than this love we share. The rest of this shit doesn’t belong to me, so I don’t carry it. I need to get out here and separate this from my reality for all of you because I love you and this tour has been the most healing, beautiful, corrective, amazing, special experience of my life.”
Grande also decided not to appear on stage anymore. West Coast revitalization Sunday in the Park with GeorgeHe needed to get back together with her. Bad costar Jonathan Bailey.