Jonathan Bailey Withdraws from 'Sunday in the Park with George' Following Ariana Grande's Departure

Jonathan Bailey announced on Instagram that he is dropping out of the West End musical 'Sunday in the Park with George,' weeks after his 'Wicked' co-star Ariana Grande's departure. Bailey stated, 'Ari is one of my dearest friends, and my support for her is unwavering.' He added, 'After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from 'Sunday in the Park with George.' Bailey, 38, was set to portray the protagonist, painter George Seurat, while Grande, 33, was to play his mistress, Dot. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, '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.' He also conveyed his well-wishes to the production team and actors, stating, 'I will be cheering them on as they continue this journey.' Bailey and Grande were scheduled to perform at London’s Barbican Centre in the summer of 2027. The two previously collaborated on the 2024 Jon M. Chu-directed musical 'Wicked,' where Grande portrayed Glinda and Bailey played Prince Fiyero. Grande had announced her withdrawal from 'Sunday in the Park with George' in August, as she prepares to take a break from public appearances following her 'Eternal Sunshine' tour, which concludes in London on Tuesday. Her spokesperson noted that Grande looks forward to finishing the tour on a positive note and taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work. Grande's representative did not specify the nature of the 'ongoing public scrutiny' she faced, but it was mentioned that she had received body-shaming comments since the release of her 'Petal' music video in July. An insider reported that Grande plans to spend her time away from the limelight with family, friends, and her boyfriend Ricky Alvarez, with whom she rekindled her relationship over the summer after her breakup with 'Wicked' co-star Ethan Slater.