Jonathan Bailey slammed for ‘pathetic’ reason for quitting West End play after Ariana Grande

Jonathan Bailey has officially followed Ariana Grande out of Sunday in the Park with George, and people have had quite a lot to say about it.

The Wicked co-stars were supposed to reunite on stage for the upcoming West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, with Bailey playing George and Grande as Dot.

Via Universal

The musical is still scheduled for summer 2027 at London’s Barbican, but it has now lost both of its originally announced leads.

Grande announced last month that she was stepping away from the production as part of a “much-deserved break” from public-facing work. Then, on Tuesday, Bailey announced that he was also leaving.

In a statement shared on social media, Bailey said Grande was “one of my dearest friends” and that his “support for her is unwavering”.

“Marianne is extraordinary and one of my longest collaborators and friends,” Bailey added. “After much consideration, I have decided to also step back from Sunday in the Park with George.”

Bailey went on to describe the musical as a “real passion project” and said he felt “incredibly lucky” to have been involved with the production.

“This brilliant, introspective musical has been a real passion project for me, and I feel incredibly lucky to have shared in its journey with this team. Among many things, the story explores the deep connection between George and Dot, a beautiful, devoted pairing, and I so look forward to seeing what the team, and the two actors who will now take on these roles, will create with it.”

Via Instagram Stories

He added: “I wish the very best to the entire company with what will no doubt be an incredible production, and I will be cheering them on as they continue this journey.”

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The show’s producers have confirmed that Bailey’s departure won’t stop the production from going ahead. They said he had “informed the producers that he has also decided to withdraw” from the musical, adding: “Work on the production continues.”

“Casting discussions are actively under way, and the creative team is reshaping the production around a new company while preserving the ambition and artistic integrity of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical.”

But while the official statements have all been very polite, the reaction has been considerably less diplomatic. The main thing people have picked up on is the fact Bailey’s exit came directly after Grande’s, with some questioning why he would leave simply because his friend was no longer involved.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande)

One particularly viral reaction summed up the sentiment with: “This isn’t summer camp, it’s a job, who cares if she’s your bestie”.

Another wrote on X: “Lowkey i find this kind of unprofessional? Like sir it’s a job i’m sorry you can’t do it with your bestie but i’m sure people who bought tickets were still looking forward to seeing him even without Ariana and now the production just lost both of its big name draws.”

The planned Wicked reunion has gone from one of the West End’s biggest upcoming casting announcements to… two replacement leads needed, please.

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Featured image via Universal