Ariana Grande Thanks Fans as Tour Ends, Steps Back From Spotlight

Ariana Grande's final words before leaving the stage in London on Tuesday were for her fans, as she wrapped up the Eternal Sunshine Tour with an emotional goodbye ahead of a planned break from public life.

Addressing the crowd at her last show, a 10-date run at London's O2 Arena, Grande called the tour one of the "most beautiful, extraordinary experiences" of her life. The performance marked the end of a 41-date run that also took her through the United States and Canada.

"I'll cherish this experience always. I have the best fans in the entire world and I always have," she told the audience, saying she tried to speak "without sobbing completely."

Grande confirmed in August that she would step back from public view once the tour ended. A representative told People magazine at the time that the 33-year-old singer "will be taking a step back from visibility" to finish the tour "healthily and happily" before taking "a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances," which the statement said had led to "endless, ongoing public scrutiny."

Ahead of the show, Grande told fans on social media she had swapped her trademark six-inch platform heels for something shorter after cutting her foot, reassuring them she was recovering even if she appeared a few inches shorter onstage. Fans in the audience still dressed in her signature style, with stilettos, cat ears and ponytails, which Grande said she noticed.

"Thank you for all of your effort and continuing to make this so special. I have loved every minute of this with you all," she said.

The concert ended with a sci-fi flourish, as Grande was drawn back to a spacecraft and ascended in a beam of light. It is not known when she will next appear publicly, though her recent album "Petal" is expected to feature prominently at September's MTV Video Music Awards, where she is nominated for artist of the year.