Ariana Grande will not appear in the 13th season of American Horror Story, according to confirmed reports. The singer’s exit from the Ryan Murphy anthology series is attributed to scheduling conflicts between the show’s production timeline and her ongoing Eternal Sunshine tour. Grande did not film any scenes for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to premiere September 24 on FX.
Production Conflicts and Tour Demands
American Horror Story Season 13, titled 13, began principal photography in April.
Grande’s Eternal Sunshine tour launched on June 6 in Oakland. As the tour progressed, the artist faced scheduling turbulence that required adjustments to her live performance itinerary. In late June, Grande rescheduled three tour dates—moving a Brooklyn performance from July 12 to July 14 and shifting two Boston shows from July 22 and 24 to July 23 and 26—due to production issues. With the tour continuing through North America before heading overseas, the time commitment required for the anthology series became incompatible with her stage obligations.
Anthology Cast and Series History
While Grande was initially announced as part of the cast on Halloween 2025, her absence leaves the core ensemble for the new season intact. The season features returning series mainstays, including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, and Jessica Lange. The production also includes director John Waters.
The upcoming season leans heavily into the series’ history, with multiple cast members reprising roles from the fan-favorite Coven season. Although this would have marked a reunion between Grande and producer Ryan Murphy—following her appearance in his 2015 series Scream Queens—the acting project remained secondary to her musical career.
Grande’s Current Professional Focus
Grande’s primary focus remains her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, which was released in 2024. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking her sixth career chart-topping album and producing two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles.
Beyond her touring and the American Horror Story development, Grande continues to manage a busy film and music schedule. Her eighth studio album, Petal, is slated for release on July 31, led by the single “Hate That I Made You Love Me.” This track recently secured her 10th career Hot 100 No. 1, tying her for the 10th-most in the history of the chart. Additionally, Grande is confirmed to appear in the Meet the Parents sequel, Focker-In-Law, which is scheduled for a theatrical release this fall.