Ariana Grande bid an emotional farewell on Tuesday night, closing out her Eternal Sunshine tour and preparing to retreat from the spotlight. The singer came close to tears more than once, especially during 'One Last Time,' which has become an anthem for survivors of the 2017 Manchester terror attack.

'London, I'm going to need you to help me on this one,' she said, kneeling near the audience for the performance. The grand finale was a mix of triumph and melancholy, with Grande showing no signs of fragility despite a foot injury that forced her to swap her trademark stilettos for platform boots. She still managed to spring across the stage, compensating for the lost height on tiptoe.

Her composure slipped during 'Nowhere, Nobody' as she sang 'Hard to believe in a perfect ending,' but she quickly recovered, staying magnetic throughout. Addressing the crowd, she expressed gratitude: 'This has been one of the most beautiful extraordinary experiences of my life and I just wanted to express my gratitude without sobbing completely.'

Last month, Grande announced a hiatus from public-facing appearances amid intense speculation about her health and appearance. That includes pulling out of a production of Stephen Sondheim's 'Sunday in the Park with George' at London's Barbican next summer, where she was set to appear alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, who also withdrew on Tuesday.

The announcement came shortly after the release of her music video for 'Petal,' which sparked fan concerns about her weight. One fan on X noted the 33-year-old had 'become so thin that people are genuinely concerned.' Two days later, her publicist revealed the 'step back from visibility' due to 'endless, ongoing public scrutiny.'

Grande herself reassured fans, saying the decision came from a 'thoughtful, empowered place' and was planned 'a long time ago.' She added, 'Boundaries need to be set, human beings do need a break sometimes.' Even before that, she had described the tour as 'one last hurrah,' aiming to focus on acting after her Oscar-nominated performance in Wicked.

The London leg of the tour, with 10 shows at the O2 Arena, drew 200,000 fans from around the world, including China, Australia, and across Europe. On the second night, she surprised the audience with a duet of 'For Good' with Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo. Critics were largely impressed: Rolling Stone called her 'one of the best singers of her generation,' The Telegraph praised the 'flawless' show, and the BBC highlighted the 'delicate and gorgeous' quieter moments. However, some expressed concern, with The Guardian's Kate Solomon admitting she was 'gripped by genuine concern' for Grande even while enjoying the show.

On the final night, Grande performed with a huge smile despite a 'deep cut' on her foot, which she assured fans was not serious. She ended the show as always, ascending into the rafters on a harness and disappearing, leaving fans wondering when - or if - they'll see her again.