Ariana Grande Launches Mental Health Initiative to Help Music Industry, Starting With Eternal Sunshine Tour Crew

The pop star's Brighter Days Ahead Foundation has partnered with Backline to make positive change. Ariana Grande at the opening night of The Eternal Sunshine Tour Katia Temkin Trending on Billboard Ariana Grande is on a mission to make everyone’s days a little brighter, starting with the people she’s on tour with. As announced Tuesday (July 28), the pop star’s newly launched Brighter Days Ahead Foundation has partnered with Backline to provide mental health resources and care packages to every dancer, band member and crew personnel on her Eternal Sunshine trek. As part of the partnership, Grande’s colleagues on the tour have received access to both a grant providing financial assistance for mental health support as well as Backline’s Case Management program, which connects individuals with therapists, counselors and other wellness experts. In celebration of the launch, the hitmaker’s foundation also distributed 200 tote bags filled with eye masks, lavender oil, resistance bands, chapstick, chamomile tea and other stress-relieving products to individuals on her staff. “During a run of sold out shows, Backline was there for Ariana’s band and crew,” the nonprofit’s cofounder and executive director, Hilary Gleason, said in a statement. “Through Brighter Days Ahead Foundation’s partnership, we’re able to provide for the music industry’s needs in a more sustainable way.” Part of the two organizations’ work together has been the creation of B-LINE, a round-the-clock mental-health support line run by Backline that’s exclusively for those working in the music industry. Before Grande had even formally announced Brighter Days Ahead, the foundation was quietly helping the nonprofit finance the crisis line behind the scenes through its Heal & Dream Fund, one of four branches of the Wicked actress’ philanthropic operation. Backline reports that 400 people have already reached out for help through B-LINE so far. “Our mission is to support, protect and provide resources for our vulnerable friends in need,” Grande stated in June when first announcing Brighter Days Ahead, revealing at the time that the foundation also had set up funds to champion the LGBTQ community and provide rapid assistance to emergency situations. “Through four different funds, we will be supporting handfuls of incredible organizations that provide the safe space and care that is desperately needed by so many right now.” The Eternal Sunshine Tour kicked off in June, marking Grande’s first proper trek in seven years. The show is centered around her 2024 Billboard 200-topping album, Eternal Sunshine, but its setlist also includes fan-favorite hits from her past as well as “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 lead single off of upcoming LP Petal, which drops July 31. More information about the work Grande is doing through her Brighter Days Ahead Foundation is available on its website. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up