Ariana Grande will not be making her planned debut in American Horror Story Season 13 after all. The singer and actress has withdrawn from the upcoming installment because revised production dates for the series overlapped with her Eternal Sunshine concert tour, making it impossible for her to take part in filming.
According to reports, Grande never began filming her scenes before the scheduling conflict arose. While she had been announced as part of the cast last year, the change in production timing ultimately prevented her participation.
Photo Credit: Penske Media via Getty Images
A Highly Anticipated Franchise Debut That Won’t Happen
Grande’s casting had generated excitement among fans, as it would have marked her first appearance in the long-running FX horror anthology created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Details about her character were never revealed, in keeping with the show’s tradition of keeping storylines under wraps until closer to release.
In interviews following the original casting announcement, Grande suggested she expected to have only a small role in the season, while expressing enthusiasm about joining the production and working with its cast.
Busy Tour Schedule Takes Priority
Grande is currently on her Eternal Sunshine tour, a major commitment that has already required adjustments to parts of the concert schedule. Recent changes included rescheduled performances in New York and Boston as organizers addressed production-related issues for the live shows.
With both the tour and the television production requiring overlapping dates, the conflict could not be resolved, leading to her departure before cameras rolled on her scenes.
Season 13 Moves Forward With Returning Favorites
Although Grande is no longer attached, American Horror Story Season 13 continues production with a large ensemble that brings together many of the franchise’s best-known performers. Returning cast members include Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman and Frances Conroy, alongside several newcomers joining the series.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The new season has been promoted as a major reunion for longtime fans of the anthology, with production already underway ahead of its planned premiere later this year.
Grande’s Relationship With Ryan Murphy Continues
While her American Horror Story appearance will no longer happen, Grande is no stranger to Ryan Murphy’s productions. She previously appeared in the first season of Scream Queens in 2015, sharing the screen with several actors who have since become regular faces in the American Horror Story universe.
Her exit from Season 13 appears to be solely the result of scheduling logistics rather than any creative change. With no scenes filmed before production moved ahead, the series will continue without her, while Grande remains focused on fulfilling her touring commitments.
