Ariana Grande exits American Horror Story Season 13 over tour clash
Synopsis
Ariana Grande was set to be one of American Horror Story Season 13's biggest casting coups — but her Eternal Sunshine tour has ended that. With a 10-night O2 Arena run stretching into September 2026, the scheduling math simply didn't work. For a singer-actress visibly leaning into screen work, the timing couldn't be more frustrating.
Key Takeaways
Ariana Grande has exited American Horror Story Season 13 due to scheduling conflicts with her Eternal Sunshine tour.
Creator Ryan Murphy had previously confirmed her casting for the upcoming season.
She was set to star alongside Sarah Paulson , Emma Roberts , and Gabourey Sidibe , who are already filming in New York .
Grande's tour concludes with a 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena from 15 August to 1 September 2026 .
She previously worked with Murphy on Scream Queens and continues to build her acting portfolio via Wicked and the upcoming Focker-in-Law .
Ariana Grande has exited American Horror Story's upcoming 13th season, dropping out of the Ryan Murphy-created anthology series due to scheduling conflicts with her ongoing Eternal Sunshine tour. The 33-year-old singer-actress had been officially announced as part of the new season's cast before the clash forced a change of plans.
What Happened
Murphy had previously confirmed Grande's casting alongside American Horror Story veterans Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, and Gabourey Sidibe — all three of whom have reportedly been spotted shooting scenes in New York this week. Grande's departure was first reported by Deadline, with further details emerging from entertainment outlet Female First UK.
The Tour Conflict
Grande launched her Eternal Sunshine tour in California last month. The road trek is set to conclude with a high-profile 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena, running from 15 August to 1 September 2026 — a run that reportedly overlaps with the production window for the new season.
A Growing Acting Career
The exit is a notable setback for Grande's screen ambitions. In recent years, she has pivoted meaningfully toward acting, most prominently playing Glinda in the Wicked film adaptations. She is also set to appear alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in the upcoming film Focker-in-Law.
In an interview last year, Grande reflected on her creative shift: 'I really am enjoying acting right now. Whether it's movies or being on stage or a little something here and there, I think that's currently what I'm most inspired by.' She added: 'I'll still sing, I promise. But yes, right now, that's currently where I'm at.'
The Murphy Connection
This would not have been Grande's first collaboration with Ryan Murphy. She previously appeared in his short-lived Fox series Scream Queens, making her casting in American Horror Story a natural extension of that creative relationship. Her exit leaves the Season 13 ensemble without one of its most high-profile additions — though production appears to be proceeding with the remaining cast.
Whether Grande's schedule will allow for a future American Horror Story appearance remains to be seen, with her tour commitments keeping her occupied well into the autumn.
Point of View
Suggesting the creative appetite is mutual even if the logistics aren't. Her pivot toward acting is credible — Wicked proved she can hold her own on screen — but building a serious film and TV career alongside a major arena tour cycle is a structural tension that won't resolve itself easily. The real question is whether Murphy holds a door open for a future season, or whether the industry moves on.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ariana Grande leave American Horror Story Season 13?
Ariana Grande dropped out of American Horror Story Season 13 due to scheduling conflicts with her Eternal Sunshine concert tour, which runs through to 1 September 2026. The conflict made it impossible for her to commit to the show's production window.
Who will still appear in American Horror Story Season 13?
Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, and Gabourey Sidibe remain part of the Season 13 cast and have reportedly been seen filming scenes in New York. All three are veterans of the Ryan Murphy anthology series.
Has Ariana Grande worked with Ryan Murphy before?
Yes. Grande previously appeared in Ryan Murphy's Fox series Scream Queens, making American Horror Story Season 13 a planned reunion that has now fallen through due to tour commitments.
What acting projects does Ariana Grande have coming up?
Grande recently starred as Glinda in the Wicked film adaptations and is set to appear alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in the upcoming film Focker-in-Law.
When does Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine tour end?
The Eternal Sunshine tour is scheduled to conclude with a 10-night residency at London's O2 Arena, running from 15 August to 1 September 2026.
