Ariana Grande exits 'American Horror Story' Season 13 over tour conflict
Singer exits Ryan Murphy's horror series after production schedule shifted
Ariana Grande will no longer appear in American Horror Story Season 13 after scheduling conflicts with her Eternal Sunshine tour prevented her from joining production.
The singer and actress, 33, was announced as part of Ryan Murphy's horror anthology in October, but production dates later shifted, making it impossible for her to balance filming with her concert schedule. According to reports, Grande did not film any scenes for the upcoming season.
Tour commitments force exit from Ryan Murphy series
Sources said the revised production timeline for American Horror Story Season 13 clashed with Grande's ongoing Eternal Sunshine tour, leading to her departure from the project before filming began.
Grande had been expected to make her franchise debut alongside returning cast members including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Frances Conroy, Leslie Grossman and John Waters.
John Carroll Lynch, Mena Suvari and Matt Fraser are also set to reprise their roles, while Paul Anthony Kelly, Berto Colón, Joey Pollari, Alex Consani and Avantika will join the cast.
Grande previously hinted at a small role
Although details of her character were never revealed, Grande previously suggested her role would likely be limited.
"I know a little tiny bit about the role, but what I know I can't say," she said in November, adding that she would probably have "a very tiny thing to do" but was excited to work with Murphy and the cast.
The project would have reunited Grande with Murphy more than a decade after she appeared in the first season of Scream Queens in 2015.
Tour schedule recently adjusted
The news comes as Grande continues her Eternal Sunshine tour, which recently underwent several schedule changes.
Her July 12 show at Brooklyn's Barclays Center was moved to July 14, while two performances at Boston's TD Garden were rescheduled from July 22 and July 24 to July 23 and July 26.
At the time, Grande apologised to fans, saying the changes were necessary to ensure the concerts could be delivered "safely and as intended."