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Unfortunately for Ariana Grande´s Belgium fans, the singer axed a session which was scheduled to take place before her show in Antwerp last week. The Thank You, Next star sent a sweet and emotional email to all ticket holders to explain the reason for having to make such a hard decision: "Hi my loves, time for some honesty,” said Ariana in her email, “my anxiety and depression have been at an all-time high lately. I have been giving you all I've got and trying to push through as hard as I can and mask it.” The 26-year-old continued, “today has been an extra rough one. After a handful of panic attacks, I feel like the wisest decision would be not to do soundcheck party or m&g today and preserve my energy for the show. I don't want to rush through our time together or seem shaky. I like spending actual time with you and I won't be able to be present or give you the best of me today.”
Tour promoters Live Nation issued a further statement confirming that sadly, this was not an isolated case, apparently, the pop star had chosen to pull out of the planned meet and greets due to her gruelling tour schedule: "These extra months on the road are not only exhilarating but exhausting. Due to the need to preserve her voice and energy, we regret to inform you there will not be a Meet & Greet & Soundcheck party at your show,” said the online post, "This decision does not come easily and the last thing she would ever want to do is disappoint fans but something has to give to allow her to continue giving 100 per cent to her performances."
It´s not the first time Ariana talks openly about mental health issues. Especially after the Manchester attack in 2017, where a bomb exploded in the arena she was performing killing 22 people, the singer has been as honest as possible with her fans. In April this year, she shared on her social media three brain scans, one of them her own, to highlight the effects of post-traumatic syndrome, something she confirmed she was suffering during an interview to British Vogue: “It’s hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss … I feel like I shouldn’t even be talking about my own experience – like I shouldn’t even say anything, “ said the artist to the magazine.
The 7 Rings hitmaker visited Manchester to perform during the Pride celebrations in August and will continue her European tour through October, 16. She will then head back to the US to complete a final leg, wrapping up on December, 22.