“Sometimes when a story comes out that’s not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion, so I wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much,” the singer told the audience (via Rolling Stone).

“The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It was something that I have decided. A plan that I had quietly made a long time ago. It was a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place.”

She went on: “I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the far opposite. This is not what that is. And I just want to be very, very clear: multiple things can be true at the same time.

“Boundaries need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes and also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life.”

The initial statement about Grande’s decision to step back from public life came shortly after she released her eighth studio album, ‘Petal’, last Friday (July 31).

Her reps said she would be “taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny”. The message stated that Grande would end the tour “on a high note, both healthily and happily”.

People quoted a source close to the star, who emphasised that she was in good health. “She performs a very physical show, and there is a lot of athleticism involved,” they commented. “She performs healthily and successfully at a very high level night after night.”