Elizabeth Gillies and Victoria Justice had an absolutely victorious reunion that had Ariana Grande feeling emotional.
Elizabeth and Victoria—who costarred with Ariana on Nickelodeon's Victorious…
Touring isn’t the most popular idea for Ariana Grande.
Fans of the Wicked star were filled with excitement when a rumor took steam claiming that she is set to hit the road in 2025. However, the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer is saying thank you, next to taking the stage and performing on a grand scale.
“I feel so grateful to the acting, and I think my fans know that music and being on stage will always be a part of my life, but I don’t see it coming anytime soon,” the 31-year-old told Variety in an interview published Dec 17. “I think the next few years, hopefully we’ll be exploring different forms of art, and I think acting is feeling like home right now.”
“I am appreciative for [my fans’] understanding,” she added. “I’m so grateful for the ways in which we’ve grown together over this whole journey with Wicked. But music will always be a part of my life.”
“I know personally for me, the body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body,” she told fans in a 2023 TikTok. “I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my ‘healthy.’ But that in fact wasn’t my ‘healthy.'”
The “thank u, next” singer added that she “shouldn’t have to explain” her body, saying that “healthy can look different” for everyone.
“I think you’re beautiful no matter what you’re going through,” she continued. “No matter what weight, no matter how you like to do your makeup these days, no matter what cosmetic procedures you’ve had or not, or anything, yeah I just think you’re beautiful and wanted to share some feelings.”
Ariana isn’t the only one to speak out against body shaming in Hollywood. Keep reading to see what more stars have said on the topic.
Ariana Grande has said bye bye, boy, bye to The Voice for good.
Although she joined the hit singing competition show as a coach for its 21st season in 2021, the Wicked star revealed that she definitely won’t be returning—and she has a very good reason as to why.
“I got so emotionally attached to everyone,” Ariana told Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers on the Nov. 6 episode of their Las Culturistas podcast. “That’s my problem.”
As the 31-year-old explained, it’s hard to care for all the contestants so much and “really get in there with everyone.”
“I love everyone so much,” she continued. “I love meeting people, and I felt so invested. And I still do, like I see them all on Instagram.”
Ariana has even done her best to keep in touch with everyone from her team—including Bella DeNapoli, David Vogel and Raquel Trinidad—although she confessed she’s been busy and hasn’t “really been in touch with anyone” recently.
Ariana Grande feels there is plenty to celebrate throughout Oz.
Especially as the Wicked actress reflected on the relationship her character Glinda has with Cynthia Erivo‘s Elphaba, which she noted can certainly be interpreted as a queer allegory, along with many other aspects of the film and its source material, The Wizard of Oz.
“Glinda might be a little in the closet,” Ariana told Gay Times in an interview published Nov. 21, adding that “you never know” what would happen if Glinda and Elphaba were given “a little more time.”
The 31-year-old also understands why many fans have shipped the characters over the years, explaining, “It is just a true love, and I think that transcends sexuality. It’s just a deep safety within each other.”
“And trust and truth and just such a safe space for one another,” she continued, “which is what all relationships should be—whether it’s romantic or platonic.”
Ariana Grande is dancing through life with a new name.
After the Eternal Sunshine singer decided to be credited with her full name Ariana Grande-Butera in her new movie Wicked, her dad Edward Butera had the sweetest reaction to the gesture.
“Oh man, he cried,” Ariana told Entertainment Tonight in an interview published Nov. 12. “Whoa. Yeah, he cried. I surprised him.”
And the “Positions” singer—who stars alongside Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical—made sure to capture the sentimental moment on camera.
“I pulled it up on my laptop and I recorded him secretly,” she continued. “I told him I wanted to show him the typography of the credits because he’s a graphic designer, he loves that stuff. It was a big surprise and he cried. It was very emotional.”
As for how Ariana was able to pull off the wickedly heartfelt surprise? She had some help from the movie’s “generous” director Jon M. Chu.
The stars were also pros at juggling their busy schedules while filming.
“In the beginning, I literally had a separate phone,” Grande shared. “The only numbers were Cynthia and Jon. I was like, ‘Hi, family? I will speak to you on Sunday.’”
“For me, for my bandwidth, I need to have healthy boundaries sometimes because I sponge up everything,” the R.E.M Beauty founder told Vanity Fair. “I can offer myself to this better if something doesn’t come in that’s like a strange curveball in my head.”
“I can’t think of anybody better to be completely honest,” Normani said of the movie’s leads. “What better iconic duo: Cynthia and Ari. I’m so proud of her. Especially the fact that she’s just pushing her limits and stepping into a completely different territory. I honestly feel like she thrives in this space and I honestly can’t think of a better person to take on [the role].”
And she made sure to emphasize her support, adding, “I’m proud of you, baby!”
Keep reading to see more stars that graced the Wicked red carpet.
(E!, Universal Pictures and Fandango are all part of the NBCUniversal family.)
And it goes without saying that Chenoweth and Menzel feel the exact same, especially considering Grande’s turn as Glinda serves as a full-circle moment for the singer.
“When she was 10 she told me, ‘I want to be you. I want to play Glinda.’ In that same voice,” Chenoweth explained on the red carpet. “Obviously, we are close. I’ve known her since she was 10.”
Noting that when the “7 Rings” singer got the audition, they “both cried,” she added that when Grande landed the role, “We both sounded like dolphins.”
In fact, after the Victorious alum was casted, she told Chenoweth, “‘I want to make you proud. I want to pay homage to you.'”
A feat that the Broadway star noted already came true. As she recalled telling Grande, “‘You will do all of that, but put your own stamp on it.’ And she did.”
Keep reading for a look at every star on the red carpet…
(E!, Universal Pictures and Fandango are part of the NBCUniversal Family).
Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Explain Why They Chose to Sing Live in ‘Wicked’ (Exclusive)
Ariana Grande‘s latest look is going to be popular.
After all, the Wicked star, who portrays Glinda in the film, attended the Los Angeles premiere at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in a pink and white Thom Browne dress, complete with matching gloves, a bow and sparkling crystal heels.
“I was inspired by the Wizard of Oz,” Grande told E! News‘ Justin Sylvester and Zuri Hall during a joint interview with Cynthia Erivo on Nov. 9. “And I wanted to nod to Shiz and Glinda at Shiz with the pink.”
Grande also shared that she wanted to wear a gingham pattern as a nod to Dorothy, while her crystal shoes are a nod to Shiz.
Meanwhile, Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, was glowing in a green Louis Vuitton look.
“I wanted to bring out the green,” Erivo said. “I hadn’t done it yet, so I figured this would be the best place for it.”
And while the “yes and?” singer’s latest fashion moment has proven to be more golden than the bricks that line Oz, she has pulled out all the stops when it comes to honoring her character. At the Jon M. Chu film’s Australia premiere, the 31-year-old mimicked a Glinda costume from the Wizard of Oz.
Of course, there’s also been the popular Wicked press tour, where Ariana and Ethan have been spotted showing subtle PDA by wrapping their arms around each other.
But even long after the movie hits theaters Nov. 22, it’s safe to say that, despite the challenges they faced, they’ve left a handprint on each other’s hearts.
“Obviously, it was a really super big year,” Ethan added to the magazine, “and I think there was something that was really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public. There were a lot of big changes in private lives that were really happening, so it’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating, and then getting things wrong about the people you love. So just to address that part of it, that feels really hard.”
“But, of course, it was an amazing year and a really beautiful thing,” he continued, “and I’m just really excited. I’m just really, really proud of Ari and the work she’s done on this. She’s poured herself into it. I’m really proud that I got to be there for that part of it, and I’m really excited to be there for this next step of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did.”
And if you feel like you’ve been changed for good by Ethan and Ariana’s romance, keep reading to learn more about their relationship.
Ariana Grande is dancing through Sydney with Ethan Slater by her side.
While the Wicked stars joined fellow cast members Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, and Jeff Goldblum during a Nov. 5 photocall in the Australian city, they also stole away for an adorable embrace.
After standing opposite one another in the group shots, the “Save Your Tears” singer wrapped her arms around her boyfriend.
For the cast outing, Ariana, 31, continued to channel her character Glinda in a pink and white two-piece skirt set by Bode paired with white Manolo Blahniks. For his part, Ethan—who plays Boq—wore a simple all-black coordinated set.
While the pair have largely avoided PDA moments since their romance went public in 2023—during which they were going through breakups with respective spouses Dalton Gomez and Lilly Jay—Ariana and Ethan haven’t shied away from expressing their admiration for the other.
“She’s so funny,” Ethan said on the Nov. 4 episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show. “She’s a comedy genius. I mean, she’s amazing in this film.”
No one mourns the wicked, but countless people appreciate some tie-in fashion.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have taken a page from Margot Robbie‘s Barbie playbook in their approach to dressing throughout the months-long lead-up to the theatrical release of Wicked on Nov. 22.
Meaning, Grande has been in full Glinda mode in pastel pink, floral motifs, ruffles, polka dots and other looks befitting the witch-in-training who will one day be deemed “good.” And Erivo is channeling the spirit of the gravity-defying Elphaba, evoking both the Emerald City and her character’s green skin in structured couture that’s ready for battle, be it in Oz or on the runway.
Which has been the opposite of something bad, since the Tony winner’s favorite color was already green.
“I love it, and I will always love it,” Erivo told Vogue in September. “In terms of my casting, it’s given me an excuse to buy more green clothes.”
Pink, however, was a new project for Glinda, er, Grande.
Ariana Grande Reveals Next 10 Years of Her Career Will “Scare the Absolute S**t” Out of Her Fans
Save your tears, Ariana Grande fans.
The Wicked actress gave insight into what she wants the next decade of her career to look like and hinted that it will probably be quite different from what fans have grown accustomed to from her over the past 10 years.
“I’m going to say something so scary,” the singer said on the Nov. 6 episode of costar Bowen Yang‘s Las Culturistas podcast. “It’s going to scare the absolute s–t out of my fans and everyone. I love them, and they will deal and we will be here forever.”
“I’m always going to make music. I’m always going to go on stage. I’m always going to do pop stuff, I pinky promise,” the Grammy winner continued, “but I don’t think doing it at the rate that I’ve been doing for the past 10 years is where I see the next 10 years.”
The 31-year-old—who got her start on Broadway at the age of 15—explained that musical theater is her “heart” and working on Wicked reminded her of how much she loves it.
“It’s something that I’m just really proud of,” she shared of her voice. “Part of why I did want to engage [with critics] is because I am really proud of my hard work and of the fact that I did give 100 percent of myself, including my physicality, to this role. I am proud of that, so I wanted to protect it.”
And while Ariana’s voice may be noticeably different for the film, it’s not the only alteration she made.
For the film—which also stars Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh and lands in theaters Nov. 22—the “Positions” singer is credited with her full name Ariana Grande-Butera.
“This experience was such a homecoming for me,” Ariana said in a Nov. 4 clip of The Streaming Service with Justin Hill. “I feel like I came home to myself in a lot of ways through what I learned from Glinda, from Elphaba and, you know, that was my name when I went to see the show when I was 10 years old—and it felt like a really lovely way of honoring that.”
Keep reading to see more of Ariana over the years.
(E! and Universal are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
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