Hours before reports of Ariana Grande’s split from fiancé Pete Davidson made headlines, the singer was a surprise no-show at a charity gala, with her longtime manager telling the audience her absence was “because of things that she’s going through.”
Scooter Braun told the inaugural Barbara Berlanti Heroes Gala on Saturday night that Grande, who was slated to perform a number from Wicked alongside Kristen Chenoweth, was a no-show due to some significant personal issues.
While Braun did not delve into the specifics, he told the Los Angeles audience that “someone I’m very close to was supposed to come sing for you today, and because of things that she’s going through, she couldn’t be here today.
“And while I was frustrated, being a manager, my wife, being who she always is, said to me, ‘She needs this time.’”
Braun added “If people are just here to see her sing and not be here for the cancer foundation, I don’t want them here anyway.”
PEOPLE reports Grande was to perform the number as a gift to Braun’s wife Yael Cohen Braun, an honouree at the event. She founded the Fuck Cancer nonprofit nine years ago, after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Trevor Noah stepped in to provide entertainment at the event.
Arrow star Stephen Amell and comedian Jeff Garlin also made appearances.
While Braun may have been directly referencing the couple’s reported split, it is not the only “personal issue” which may have kept Grande from performing.
Earlier, the singer announced a break from touring so she could process the events of the last 18 months, which saw the death of her former partner Mac Miller, and the bombing of her 2017 Manchester concert, which killed 22 people.
All the best to all involved, here.
