Ariana Grande was forced to cancel the meet-and-greet on the most recent stop of her world tour, after suffering a “handful of panic attacks”.
The chart-topping singer was in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday night, where she had been scheduled to meet fans before the show, as well as having some sit in on her soundcheck.
However, in a statement posted on her Instagram, she disclosed that her mental health has taken a downward turn, and therefore she would rather “preserve her energy for the show”.
Ariana wrote: “Time for some honesty. My depression and anxiety 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.
“Today has been an extra rough one. After a handful of panic attacks, I feel like the wisest decision would be to not do soundcheck party or [meet-and-greet] today and preserve my energy for the show.”
She continued: “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.
“I wish I had control over these attacks but as anybody with anxiety or depression understands, sometimes you can only operate on its terms and not your own.”
Ariana added that fans would be reimbursed, vowing to give “the best show” possible.
Since the terror attack at her show in Manchester two years ago, Ariana has been very vocal about her mental health struggles, alluding to her anxiety on Sweetener tracks like Breathin and Get Well Soon.
More recently, she shocked fans when she shared images from a recent brain scan on her Instagram, revealing the physical effects that PTSD have had on her.
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.