Ariana Grande postpones Tampa, Orlando concerts

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Thousands of Ariana Grande fans, "Arianators" and "tiny elephants" as they're called, had been counting down the months, (really, seconds) to her Tampa show May 28, but illness forced the pop icon to postpone until November.

"We purchased the ticket in September," said Elizabeth Avila of Fort Lauderdale.

"I bought my ticket in October. So, I've been waiting months for this, VIP backstage tickets," said Jonathan Valdivia who traveled from Miami.

Unfortunately, they'll be waiting much longer to see their queen.

"Someone in line said 'OK, check her story, she canceled the show,' and they started crying," recalled Matthew Sobral of Orlando.

Fans, already lined up for the Sweetener World Tour left on a sour note.

"I'm a huge fan," Valdivia said. "I've been following her since her show. This is the first concert I can go to because I can actually afford it and saved up for it.  The fact that she just canceled last minute is very unprofessional and disappointing on her part."

"I took time off from work, all week, because I was going to see her in Orlando, too," Sobral said.

"I was really really excited," said Jacneliz Rivera. "I came all the way from Orlando and we were stressing right before the concert because we couldn't get enough money to get here. We ended up getting enough money. But, then, we came all the way out here for basically nothing."

Elizabeth Avila came with her young daughter, Alexandria in matching Ariana Grande shirts. Alexandria came with Ariana's signature high ponytail.

"I wanted to cry because I think it would've been a very fun experience to go to her concert," Alexandria said. "It's understandable because people get sick."

If Ariana Grande's fans are one thing, it's loyal. They'll be back in six months, and as her song goes, they'll have "no tears left to cry."

"If you're watching this Ariana," Sobral said, "I just want you to feel better and please do your best in November because I am waiting to hug you."

The singer was scheduled to perform at Amalie Arena Tuesday and then in Orlando’s Amway Center Wednesday. Both shows have been postponed.

“I woke up incredibly sick today, ran to my doctor here and have been told to postpone these shows tonight and tomorrow. I’m so beyond devastated,” she wrote in a post on her Instagram account. “I will make this up you, I promise. I love you and I will be back and better than ever as soon as possible.”

The Tampa show has been scheduled for November 24, with the make-up Orlando date the next night.

Tickets for both shows will be honored for the new dates. Refunds are also available through the original point of purchase.

Refund details from Amalie Arena: 

Customers who purchased through Ticketmaster:
•    Online purchases will automatically be refunded.
•    Phone purchases will automatically be refunded.
•    Outlet purchases will need to return to the point of purchase in order to receive refunds. 

Customers who purchased through the ticket office or AMALIE Arena sales office:
•    Tickets will need to be refunded through the point of purchase. 
•    Sales office customers are encouraged to contact their sales reps to request the refund. 
•    Refunds will be available at the Ticket Office during normal business hours. Ticket Office Hours can be found at AmalieArena.com.  

Customers who purchased through third parties:
•    Will need to contact their point of purchase for refunds. These cannot be refunded through the Box Office or Ticketmaster.