Ariana Grande will no longer appear in American Horror Story Season 13. The pop star and actor had previously been announced as part of the cast for the upcoming season of Ryan Murphy’s long-running horror anthology, but has now dropped out due to scheduling conflicts connected to her Eternal Sunshine tour.
Her casting had been a major talking point for fans, especially as Season 13 is set to bring back several familiar American Horror Story faces. The season will premiere on 24 September, with Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange and Emma Roberts among the returning names.
Grande’s appearance would have marked her first role in American Horror Story, although she has worked with Murphy before. She previously appeared in Scream Queens, the horror-comedy series created by Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, making her planned AHS debut a notable reunion.
The update comes as Grande continues a major run across music and film. Alongside her Eternal Sunshine tour, she has recently taken on high-profile screen roles, including Glinda in Wicked and Wicked: For Good.
Details around the plot of American Horror Story Season 13 remain largely under wraps, although the new season is expected to lean heavily into the show’s legacy and bring back fan-favourite faces from across the anthology. Filming has already begun, with cast members spotted shooting exterior scenes, and Grande’s absence from those early sightings had sparked fan speculation that she may no longer be involved.
The Season 13 cast also includes Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman, John Waters, John Carroll Lynch, Mena Suvari and Matt Fraser, adding even more familiar names to the anthology’s return. Paul Anthony Kelly, Berto Colón and Joey Pollari are also set to make their franchise debuts.
For CultureCues, this is a slightly surprising casting change. Grande was announced for American Horror Story Season 13 after her Eternal Sunshine tour had already been revealed, so fans may have expected the schedule to be workable. Her casting attracted huge attention, which makes her exit a disappointing update for anyone excited to see her back in the Ryan Murphy universe. The season still has an enormous returning cast, but Grande’s absence will definitely be felt. Tour schedule wins this round.
American Horror Story Season 13 premieres on 24 September.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.