Ariana Grande says upcoming break is something she 'quietly made a long time ago'

Ariana Grande addressed fan concerns about her upcoming hiatus.

During the first of the three nights of her "Eternal Sunshine Tour" in Chicago, the singer told her fans that the announcement that was made the day before "was not a reactive or impulsive thing."

"It is something that I had decided. It's a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago, and it's a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place," she told the crowd.

She also talked about the concerns about being influenced "negatively": "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," she said.

She added, "No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will ever be able to distort my reality, or be more real to me than this love that we share.

"I love you, this is what I want always... the rest of that [stuff] is not mine to carry," Grande said.

Grande's representative previously told People magazine that while the Grammy-winning artist is eager to complete her tour, she wants to take a "step back from visibility," as her many appearances have "led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny."

“Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” the rep said. “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”

Fans have expressed growing concern for her health, particularly after Friday's release of a music video for Petal in which the pint-sized singer appears to have lost significant weight.