Jonathan Bailey attended Ariana Grande's concert at London's O2 arena on Thursday, demonstrating his continued support for his Wicked co-star weeks after the American pop star withdrew from their planned theatrical reunion.
Bailey, the 38-year-old British actor who plays Fiyero opposite Grande's Glinda in the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, was filmed by fans smiling, dancing and singing along to her performance. The event took place during the London leg of Grande's Eternal Sunshine tour, which is promoting her seventh studio album.
Fan videos shared on social media captured Bailey beaming at the stage. A user named Valentina posted footage of Bailey on August 27, 2026, writing, "Jonathan Bailey singing we can't be friends in Ariana's concert, THIS IS EVERYTHING TO ME".
Other concertgoers also noted the actor's presence. One fan wrote, "Fiyero still showing up for Glinda off-script," while another commented, "The way he still shows up for her after everything is so sweet honestly that man is a real one."
Withdrawal from London stage production
The public display of friendship follows Grande's decision earlier this month to bow out of the London stage production of Sunday in the Park with George. The Stephen Sondheim musical was scheduled to run at the Barbican Centre, a major performing arts venue in the City of London, in the summer of 2027.
Grande and Bailey were set to reunite on stage for the anticipated show. However, producers released a statement confirming her departure. The statement noted that producers understood the choice, adding, "we know this cannot have been an easy decision."
Despite the loss of its lead actress, the production will proceed. Producers confirmed the show will open as planned at the Barbican in summer 2027, with casting details to be "announced in due course".
Concerns over the production first emerged earlier in the summer when ticket sales for the Barbican run were halted. There were growing fears that Grande, who had recently begun her North American tour, was "oversubscribed", and that committing to eight theatre shows a week would be too demanding for the singer.
At the time, a source close to Grande's camp denied the rumours, confirming to the Daily Mail that "there's no doubt she's still doing it". The source added, "The show is still happening but ticket sales were pushed to September due to her touring and album release schedule."
Taking a break from the spotlight
The theatre withdrawal comes amid a wider step back for Grande. A day after her team announced she would be taking a "break" following the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour in September amid "ongoing scrutiny", Grande addressed the decision directly during her concert in Chicago.
Speaking from the stage, the singer sought to clarify that her break had been planned "quietly" a "long time ago". She rejected the idea that the decision was made because "negativity was ruining things for me".
"Sometimes when a story comes out that's not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion," Grande told the Chicago audience. "So I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much. The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing."
She continued, "It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago and it's a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know many things can be true at the same time."
The singer addressed speculation about her wellbeing, pushing back against the narrative that public pressure had forced her hand. "I want to share this because I heard that my fans were worried that negativity was ruining things for me, but I just have to say that could not be more the f**k opposite. Honestly, this is not what that is."
Grande emphasised the necessity of personal limits. "And I just want to be very, very clear: Multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes, boundaries, they need to be set. Human beings can need a break sometimes. And also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life."
The North American leg of the Eternal Sunshine tour commenced in June. The tour will conclude with ten dates in London in September.
Upcoming film and tour conclusion
Despite the planned break, Grande praised her current tour and the support of her audiences. "No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or elaborate to me than this love that we share," she said from the stage.
"The rest of that s**t is not mine to carry, so I don't carry it. I need to get out here and differentiate that from my truth for you all because I love you and this tour has been the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life."
As part of her break, Grande will reportedly skip promotional duties for her upcoming movie, Focker-in-Law. The comedy film is scheduled to hit cinemas in November.
However, insiders insist the singer will complete her current tour obligations, framing it as "her last gift for fans".
A source told The Sun newspaper that Grande is focused on her performances. "She is performing to rave reviews each night and is really enjoying herself, no matter what people are writing on TikTok and Instagram," the source said.
"Her decision to step away is her own and she's doing it at the right time for her."
