Scheduling Conflicts Lead to Departure
Ariana Grande will no longer be part of the highly anticipated thirteenth season of American Horror Story. According to reports, the 33-year-old artist has made the difficult decision to exit the project due to conflicting commitments.
The primary reason for her departure stems from overlapping timelines between her current Eternal Sunshine Tour and recent shifts in the production schedule for the horror anthology. Because of these timing constraints, it has been confirmed that Grande did not film any sequences for the new season, which is currently slated for a September 24 premiere.
A Busy Schedule for the Star
Grande’s decision reflects her exceptionally packed professional calendar. Following her acclaimed performance as Glinda in Wicked, the singer and actress has been balancing multiple high-profile projects:
- Music: She is deep into her tour, which includes upcoming stops in New York, Canada, Chicago, and London, and is preparing for the release of her eighth studio album, Petal, on July 31.
- Film: She is set to appear in the upcoming movie Focker-in-Law, debuting in theaters on November 25.
- Theater: A reunion with her Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey is on the horizon for a production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday In The Park With George.
The Future of Season 13
Despite Grande's absence, fans of the series have plenty to look forward to. Show creator Ryan Murphy has confirmed the return of several legendary franchise veterans for the upcoming season, including Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, and Emma Roberts.
The announcement of these returning stars has generated significant buzz among the show’s long-term audience. Enthusiastic fans have taken to social media to celebrate the comeback of icons like Lange and Peters.
The anticipation surrounding the cast grew even more last year when Evan Peters hinted at his potential involvement during an appearance at the 2025 Emmys.
“Gotta call Ryan,” Peters joked to Entertainment Tonight. “Gotta talk to him and see what’s going on with that. So, maybe we’ll get on that.”
While the collaboration between Murphy and Grande—who previously worked together on Scream Queens—will have to wait, season 13 remains one of the most anticipated television events of the year.