In a bittersweet turn of events on the eve of the highly anticipated release of Wicked: For Good, global superstar Ariana Grande has announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the cancellation of several key promotional appearances and marking a significant setback for the film's whirlwind international press tour.
Grande, who stars as the iconic Glinda the Good Witch alongside Cynthia Erivo's powerhouse portrayal of Elphaba, shared the news via her Instagram Stories on Thursday evening. Posting a candid photo from her recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the 32-year-old singer-actress captioned the image simply: "Moments before Covid." The revelation comes just hours before the film's worldwide theatrical debut today, November 21, 2025, following advanced screenings that kicked off on November 17.
As a precautionary measure, Grande has withdrawn from a scheduled solo segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where she was set to join Erivo for a taped discussion. Additionally, upcoming Q&A panels and fan events in New York have been postponed indefinitely. This follows a grueling global press circuit that saw the duo jet-setting across continents—from Brazil and Singapore to London and Los Angeles—amidst a string of high-energy premieres, red-carpet spectacles, and late-night interviews.
The tour has already faced turbulence, including Erivo's recent bout with laryngitis that sidelined her (and Grande in solidarity) from interviews at the New York premiere on November 17. A shocking security breach in Singapore saw a fan breach barriers and lunge at Grande on the yellow carpet, an incident that required intervention from Erivo and heightened security protocols thereafter. Despite these challenges, the unbreakable bond between the co-stars has shone through, with Grande previously halting her own commitments to support Erivo's recovery.
"Ariana is resting comfortably at home under the guidance of her medical team and following all health protocols," said a spokesperson for Universal Pictures. "While this news is disappointing, especially on such a monumental day for Wicked: For Good, her health and well-being remain our top priority. We are grateful for the outpouring of love from fans worldwide and remain committed to celebrating this magical conclusion to the Wicked saga."
Director Jon M. Chu echoed the sentiment in a statement: "Ariana's Glinda has brought pure joy and light to Oz—and to all of us on this journey. We're sending her all our love and a swift recovery. The magic of Wicked: For Good lives on, and we can't wait for audiences to experience it in theaters today."
This isn't the first time COVID-19 has intersected with Grande's Wicked journey; both she and Erivo tested positive during production of the first film in 2023, briefly halting filming. Fans have flooded social media with well-wishes, trending hashtags like #GetWellGlinda and #WickedForAriana, while sharing memes blending the news with the film's themes of resilience and sisterhood.
Wicked: For Good, the electrifying second chapter of Universal Pictures' adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon, picks up where 2024's Wicked left off, delving deeper into the unbreakable friendship between Glinda and Elphaba as they confront the Wizard's (Jeff Goldblum) deceptions and fight for the soul of Oz. Featuring original songs by Stephen Schwartz alongside showstoppers like "For Good," the film boasts a stellar ensemble including Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Bowen Yang. Early projections forecast a record-breaking Thanksgiving opening, surpassing the first film's $112.5 million domestic debut.
Tickets are available now at Fandango and participating theaters. For the latest updates on Grande's recovery and rescheduled appearances, follow @WickedMovie on social media.
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