Ryan Murphy is not closing the door on Ariana Grande joining American Horror Story, even though scheduling conflicts forced her to leave the anthology’s upcoming 13th season.
Murphy says the idea he developed for Grande was a “very big swing” and could be revived for a future installment when her schedule allows.
Grande had been announced as part of the Season 13 cast in October 2025, but she ultimately withdrew without filming any scenes as production collided with her ongoing Eternal Sunshine tour.
Murphy emphasized that the change caused no tension between them. He said he understood why Grande could not fit the series into an already demanding schedule and remains eager to work with her again.
Murphy Says the Exit Came Down to Scheduling
Murphy explained that he approached Grande about American Horror Story before her tour had even been formally announced. “I love Ariana Grande. We’re great friends,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in comments covered by Entertainment Weekly.
Murphy said Grande was interested but immediately warned him that touring could become an obstacle. “I had an idea, and I came to her and she, very immediately, said, ‘I’m not sure because I think I’m going on tour,’” he recalled. By the time production reached the episode in which Grande was supposed to appear, the Eternal Sunshine tour was underway.
Murphy called Grande to discuss whether she could make both commitments work. “She was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to juggle the tour with this,’” he said. “And I said, ‘OK, if you can’t, we can push to another season.’ She said, ‘Great.’”
Grande Left Before Filming Any Season 13 Scenes
Grande was originally announced for Season 13 alongside returning American Horror Story stars including Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe and Leslie Grossman.
Her appearance would have marked her first role in the anthology and reunited her with Murphy, Roberts and Lourd more than a decade after Scream Queens. When Grande’s departure emerged in July, Page Six reported that changes to the production schedule made filming incompatible with her tour.
Grande left before shooting any material for the season. She had previously suggested that the part itself might be relatively small. Speaking to Variety after her casting was announced, Grande said she knew “a little tiny bit” about the role and expected to have “a very tiny thing to do” in the season.
Murphy Calls the Shelved Idea a ‘Very Big Swing’
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“I love her, and I support her,” he said. “It was a very big swing, but I might bring that back for another season, per Ariana’s availability.” He also dismissed any suggestion that her departure reflected a problem in their working relationship. “Who is busier than Ariana Grande? No one,” Murphy said, according to Billboard. “You have to be respectful,” he added.
Grande and Murphy Previously Worked Together on ‘Scream Queens’
Grande previously entered Murphy’s horror-comedy world in 2015 as Chanel #2 on the first season of Scream Queens. Her character was part of the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority led by Emma Roberts’ Chanel Oberlin, with Billie Lourd and Abigail Breslin also among the show’s Chanels.
Murphy pointed to that experience while explaining why he expects the two to collaborate again. “Ariana is a big fan of horror,” he said. “She’s obviously done homages of that in her work; she did Scream Queens for me and loved the experience, and people love her in that show. So I will always work with her.”
Grande was similarly enthusiastic when she joined Scream Queens. She told Teen Vogue in 2015 that she had been willing to play almost anything Murphy wanted because she was so excited to work with him.
Grande Plans to Step Back After Her Tour
Grande’s schedule is set to become quieter once the Eternal Sunshine tour concludes on September 1st. Her representative announced on August 2nd that she would be “taking a step back from visibility” after finishing the tour. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances,” her representative said.
Grande has also withdrawn from the planned West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George, which was expected to reunite her with Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey in London in summer 2027. The production is still expected to proceed with new casting.
Murphy has made clear that he is willing to wait for another opportunity rather than close the door on Grande. “I think the world of her,” he said. American Horror Story Season 13 is scheduled to premiere September 24th on FX.