U.S. pop icon Ariana Grande has thanked fans for their "overwhelming” support as she began her O2 residency in London following the news she is to step back from public life.
The concert on Saturday night, which is the first of 10 nights at the north Greenwich venue in the east of the city, began with a curtain falling down to reveal the 33-year-old in a black corset with her band in similar attire.
Towards the end of the show, Grande told the crowd they were "by far the loudest” of the tour so far, before adding that their support throughout the run had been "overwhelming.”
She said over ear-splitting screams from the crowd: "I’m so grateful to be doing this with you all ... these 10 dates are the last stop on this tour.”
Grande later added: "You’ve shown me so much love so I want to say thank you.”
She also said she was "so, so lucky” and added that she was "grateful” for her fans.
The set drew heavily on Grande’s 2024 album Eternal Sunshine with some tracks from her latest album Petal, as well as her best known hits such as "Into You," "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings," along with a cover of Lady Gaga’s "Rain On Me."
Shortly after arriving on stage she told the crowd: "London, it’s so good to see us, isn’t it? Welcome to the Eternal Sunshine tour.”
Her elaborate staging saw her perform in a rundown house and the lighting rig being transformed into a police helicopter, while Grande waved and blew kisses to fans throughout.
Videos breaking up each act of the performance gave the concert a cinematic feel, with one clip featuring scenes from The Wizard Of Oz in reference to her role in the Wicked films.
The show comes after Grande announced last month that she would take a step back from the spotlight after she completes the residency, which will bring an end to her Eternal Sunshine tour.
Speaking on stage at an earlier gig in the tour, Grande said her decision to take a break from public life came from "a thoughtful and empowered place” and was "not a reactive or impulsive thing.”
She has also dropped out of the upcoming London revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday In The Park With George, in which she was due to appear opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey, with her role due to be recast.
It follows Grande’s music video for Petal, the title single from her newly released eighth studio album, which sparked speculation about her health.
The singer also appeared to confirm her relationship with dancer and photographer Ricky Alvarez on Instagram earlier this week.
Petal became Grande’s sixth consecutive U.K. number one album last week following Dangerous Woman (2016), Sweetener (2018), Thank U, Next (2019), Positions (2020) and Eternal Sunshine.
