Since the Wicked finale, Ariana Grande has been entering a new era post-Glinda, and it's reportedly without her Boq. That's right, earlier this week, it was reported that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater quietly split up after almost three years of dating. But maybe we should hold our breath about the future of their relationship following this latest report?

According to what sources have said to celebrity scooper Rob Shuter, those close to the singer and actress aren’t convinced the "amicable" breakup will stick. Per his source:

Over the years, there have definitely been rumors that Grande and Slater have been in an on-again, off-again type of relationship, but we cannot confirm these claims. The scooper also says he asked the pop star's mother, Joan Grande, a few weeks ago if the Wicked couple were still together, and she responded with these words and a chuckle:

Joan Grande’s comments hint at Grande and Slater being on the complicated side. Here's what another source reportedly said:

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater met on the set of the Wicked movies, which started filming back in December 2022 and concluded in January 2024 after a six-month hiatus due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. During the shooting, word of Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez’s divorce was revealed. And then, the Wicked couple allegedly became an item in July 2023.

The relationship hasn’t been without some public drama. Ethan Slater filed for divorce from his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a young son, at the dawn of his relationship with Grande in July 2023. His ex didn’t mince words about the situation in an article in late 2024. Here’s another new comment from one of the scooper’s insiders:

Grande and Slater are reportedly "still friends" after their recent split; we'll have to wait and see if these claims are true. They're definitely both busy at the moment.

Ariana Grande just kicked off her first tour since 2019, The Eternal Sunshine Tour, in Oakland, California, on June 6. She's playing a total of 41 arena shows across North America and London throughout the summer. She previously told Good Hang With Amy Poehler that she’s looking at the tour as “one last hurrah” for her, as she doesn’t think she’ll be headlining her own show for a “long, long, long, long time” after it.

Grande also has a new album called Petal coming out on July 31 and an upcoming role on the 2026 movie schedule. She’ll star in Focker-In-Law with Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro and Owen Wilson, which hits theaters on November 25.

As far as Slater’s career goes, he recently finished a run on his off-Broadway play, Marcel on the Train (which he co-wrote), and is set to be in The Boys prequel series, Vought Rising, set to premiere next year.

When it comes to their relationship, I guess we'll just have to keep an eye out for updates.

Bowen Yang officially said his goodbye to Saturday Night Live right before Christmas last year in a final sketch that included Ariana Grande, Cher and a lot of singing. It was a touching way to send the beloved cast member off, but apparently, it wasn’t the original plan he envisioned. In fact, the sketch changed quite a bit between the dress rehearsal and the final show thanks to one last note from longtime showrunner Lorne Michaels.

Yang was part of a panel discussion at USG University along with Liz Patrick, who directed his last SNL episode. During the conversation, Patrick asked Yang if Cher was always supposed to be in the sketch. Apparently she was added during the week following the first table read, but it was actually another change that had a far bigger impact on the overall tone.

In the sketch in question, Yang plays a guy in the Delta Lounge of an airport who runs an eggnog station. He’s about to retire and phones his wife to say he’s coming home. In between singing verses of “Please Come Home For Christmas,” he also serves customers, accidentally spraying them with a small amount of eggnog. In the final version of the sketch, those eggnog spills work as a little bit of comedic relief and levity, but in the dress rehearsal version, they were much messier and more elaborate.

Here’s a portion of Yang’s story, per IndieWire…

More specifically, Sarah Sherman and Mikey Day were apparently supposed to be a large background presence in the sketch. The original version apparently saw them slipping and sliding and making a mess, as the eggnog machine went haywire and essentially sprayed a fountain they couldn’t figure out how to stop. It sounds like a riot but also a pretty radical shift in tone from what we eventually got. After dress, Lorne Michaels approached Yang and his co-writer Celeste Yim and told them they should keep the sketch “tender.”

You can watch the version we got below and imagine how it might feel a bit different with Sherman and Day screaming their heads off and flopping around in a bunch of eggnog.

Yang was originally planning to leave Saturday Night Live following the SNL 50 season, but he was convinced to stay for part of a season by Michaels to help assimilate the new cast. That plan worked like a charm because some of the newer voices really started to emerge as budding stars, and Yang got a really sweet final moment to say goodbye to the show that earned him five Emmy nominations.

Fortunately, it feels like there's a pretty good chance we'll see Yang back on the Studio 8H stage at some point. A lot of the bigger cast members return to host the show at some point later in their careers and many more stop by for a cameo or an anniversary special. Fingers crossed it won't take him too long to come back.

I don’t know about you, but I will gravely miss Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo slaying Wicked premiere fits after the pair gave us a lot of method dressing to talk about the past two years. However, the wildly talented stars might be understandably OK with sitting out a lot of public appearances after what happened at the Singapore premiere during the For Good press tour. Months later, Erivo has recounted what it was like to go viral for defending her co-star when a fan hurled himself at her.

On November 13, 2025, Johnson Wen, a fan, climbed over the barricade of the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good and put his arm around Grande before Erivo and a round of security pushed him off her.

In the video he posted about this, he surprised multiple celebrities with the same move, captioning the montage as “I dreamed about meeting my favorite celebrities.” However, there has been clear discomfort when he’s jumped up to surprise the famous people he’s interacted with. Here’s what Erivo remembers about the Wicked: For Good incident:

Erivo recalled what she was thinking in a new interview with Variety. As the profile points out, while many cited the Elphaba actor as a “hero” for how she jumped to Grande’s aid, others found it to be an “overreaction.” Here’s what she thinks:

Wen pouncing toward Grande definitely looked like it left her rattled. One should also keep in mind that the singer/actress was diagnosed with PTSD after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at one of her shows in Manchester, England, in 2017. Erivo also had this to say:

Following the viral moment, some had referred to Cynthia Erivo as Grande’s “bodyguard”. Erivo said the public reaction to the video thinks “maybe” it caused her to pull back from making as many appearances for Wicked: For Good, especially regarding the film’s awards campaign, which ended with the Wicked sequel getting completely shut out of the 2026 Oscars. As Erivo added:

It’s a bummer that Erivo felt that way after all the love for her role as Elphaba in the two musicals. Following the conclusion of the Wicked movies played out in For Good, we’re certainly curious about whether Wicked 3 is in Erivo and Grande’s futures. You can watch both Wicked movies right now with a Peacock subscription or rent/buy them on digital, DVD and Blu-Ray.

One of the exciting 2026 movie releases coming out down the line is Focker-In-Law, which is the fourth movie to come out of the Meet The Parents movies after wrapping production back in the fall. Since it stars Ariana Grande as the son of Greg Focker’s girlfriend, some fans of the singer/actress are apparently learning about the comedy movies for the first time, and Stiller inserted himself into the online discourse.

We’ve known that Ben Stiller and Robert de Niro would be reuniting 15 years later for Focker-In-Law for some time now, but this week the first trailer for the movie was released. So naturally a lot more people are talking about the upcoming sequel. Check out what one Twitter user said about the Meet The Parents movies:

One fan of Ariana Grande took to the internet to ask whether she should watch the previous three movies before checking out Focker-In-Law this holiday season. Funny enough, Stiller saw the comment and responded like this:

A user called @pearlmuffins was looking for some feedback about the Meet The Parents movies, but I bet she wasn’t expecting the star of all four movies to comment on the subject. Ben Stiller suggested that she doesn’t have to have seen the other movies (Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers and Little Fockers) to enjoy the upcoming one, but threw out his support for two out of three of the films. I guess he’s aware (and fine to admit) the third movie didn’t turn out very well – and it does have a 34 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes to underline it.

When someone asked Stiller about why he dunked on Little Fockers, he dropped yet another tweet in response. Check out the other exchange:

• @SEANMX_7 on X:"So what went wrong with Little Fockers? You worked on it."
• Ben Stiller: "We always try. Fully."

Not all the Meet The Parents may not have been hits, but Ben Stiller sounds pretty stoked for Focker-In-Law. The actor has said that the idea to return to the comedy franchise came from realizing he was the same age De Niro was when they made the first movie. Check out the Focker-In-Law trailer below:

How fun does this look? Following Ariana Grande showing promise for her humor on SNL and the Wicked movies she’s playing the daughter-in-law-to-be of Greg Focker. Funny enough, this time around De Niro’s Jack Byrnes and Grande’s Olivia have a positive relationship and Stiller’s Greg is the one who’s not on board with his son (Superman’s Skyler Gisondo) marrying her.

We can’t wait to see how it stacks up with the Meet The Parents movies. Focker-In-Law is heading to theaters on November 25.

Is it just me, or does the 2026 movie calendar feel a little barren without another Wicked movie coming out this fall. Of course, I knew Wicked would just be two acts as that’s how it has always been for the stage musical, but now that the curtain has fallen on the movie adaptation, I think it’s high time we talk about the lion in the room. What’s Universal going to do next with Wicked after its commercial success?

What Universal Has Said About More Wicked Movies

When Wicked: For Good hit theaters this past fall and smashed box office records, it marked the end of the full story of the Broadway musical being told on film. But, if I know anything about how Hollywood works, it’s that the industry doesn’t typically send titles packing when they make the kind of impact these movies did. And, when Universal’s chief marketing officer Michael Moses spoke to Vulture back in November, he said this:

Now, I don’t personally love the business model of figuring out how to branch out universes just because a studio has made a lot of money and can, but what can I say, it works for Hollywood. Just look at those Fast & Furious movies! Various cast members from the Wicked movies are also keeping their minds open on the topic, including Jonathan Bailey, who said this to Esquire:

That “potential” is what I want to talk about next. I think I’ve come up with the three most viable ways Universal could continue Wicked, and it’s time to talk about it.

How I Think A Wicked Followup Could Happen

While Universal could certainly try to continue the story after the events of the Broadway musical, I don’t think they should do that. I think the best way in would be to focus on one of these three arcs:

A Glinda Spinoff

The Wicked followup that feels the most “duh” to me is Ariana Grande reprising her role as Glinda for a bubblegum-pop filled journey through Oz. The pop queen really transformed into a movie star for these movies as an indisputable highlight of these adaptations, and it definitely felt like there was room for her character to expand even further by the end of For Good. After being kind of a hack witch throughout the events of both Wicked films, she finally was able to perform magic and she’ll certainly be facing a lot of new challenges as the new leader of Oz.

Recently, it was also announced that Wicked author Gregory Maguire is publishing a prequel called Galinda: A Charmed Childhood. I could see Universal deciding to adapt that along with adding some new material for Grande – perhaps as a brand new musical? It’s kind of a no-brainer if they can find writers who can really create a new story worth telling for her.

Perhaps the whole crux of a new Wicked movie is in the idea that Glinda thought Elphaba did die for years until she somehow discovers she’s been in hiding, and goes on a quest to save her from something. I’m also still on the edge of my seat about what happened to Tin Man after the events of For Good!

Son Of A Witch Adaptation

It’s also worth noting that Maguire has four Wicked novels, a sequel series called Another Day, a short story collection about Oz folklore and a prequel novel for Elphaba. The first sequel to the events of Wicked is called Son Of A Witch and it’s about the son of Elphaba and Fiyero. His name is Liir, and he’s a 14-year-old boy who goes on a quest to find his half sister in a politically-fractured Oz.

The reason why I think this is less likely to happen than a Glinda spinoff is because in the novel, Elphaba is already dead, and it’s even more dark than the original Wicked book. Since these movies have thus far been family friendly, perhaps Universal might loosely adapt it, or use it as an inspiration for a new story that’s still about Elphaba and Fiyero’s son?

A Movie About The Origins Of Oz

Another path down the yellow brick road Universal could take to continue the world of Wicked is by going back in time, using the prequel route, and telling the story of Oz. When fantasy or sci-fi movies are popular, Hollywood certainly likes this idea – think Star Wars or Hunger Games. I do think I’d be interested to know how Oz was able to trick the people of the fantastical world. He was an all powerful wizard for decades, but this would leave out one thing that makes Wicked so great: the female friendship between Glinda and Elphaba.

Personally, I don’t love any of these options, but I’m not the kind of genius who revitalized The Wizard of Oz into Wicked, either. No matter what happens, I think what would really get me to sit up and pay attention is if there was another Wicked movie musical, with some incredible talent behind it to expand a new corner of the world.

While thinking about what Universal might be “figuring out” from a fan’s perspective, I also think it would make sense for there to be a pretty significant wait for the next movie. For example, I think after a few years of missing Glinda, Elphaba and the world, I would be all in on going back to Oz and catching up with the poppy-filled fantasy land.

Anyways, this is quite a puzzle isn’t it? No matter what does or does not happen with Wicked at Universal, I feel I have been changed for good by the musical being adapted into films!

Every week brings great new movies to streaming and the beginning of brand new series. This week is certainly no exception. Whether you’re a fan of animation, serious drama, or ridiculous comedy, all the best streaming services have what you’re looking for. Here are some of the week’s highlights.

Invincible, Season 4 - March 18 (Prime Video)

Superhero shows and movies are everywhere, but four seasons in, there’s still nothing quite like Invincible. This animated series is certainly not for kids, but it’s a lot of fun. The new season will tell some stories completely original to the series, while still giving fans all the hilariously violent action they’ve come to expect.

Short Circuit Experimental Films: Maddie & The Test & Life Drawings March 18 (Disney+)

Disney got its start with animated shorts, and while they’re not quite as popular as they once were, they are still the place where many of today’s great animation directors got their start. The Short Circuit program at Walt Disney Animation gives anybody with an idea a chance to become a director, and this week, your Disney+ subscription gets you two new original and creative pieces of animation from fresh talent at Disney.

Imperfect Women - March 18 (Apple TV)

Any series that includes Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington is one that is going to get a lot of people to take notice. The new series, debuting with an Apple TV subscription, sees the two playing friends who become suspects, and investigators when the third member of their trio (Kate Mara) turns up dead.

Wicked: For Good - March 20 (Peacock)

The sequel may not have been quite as successful as the original, but in order to properly finish the epic story that is Wicked, you need Act II. Wicked: for Good continues the story of Elphaba, but the second half of the story is where Ariana Grande shines as Glinda. The movie is available with your Peacock subscription and includes a sing-along track as well as a commentary track from director Jon M. Chu.

Jury Duty Presents Company Retreat - March 20 (Prime Video)

Jury Duty was something of a surprise hit and is still one of the best reasons to have a Prime Video subscription. The reality series/comedy followed a fake trial where everybody was an actor except for one unsuspecting man on the jury. While recreating that scenario would have been difficult in a courtroom, Season 2 takes the show to the company retreat of a fictitious company, where once again, everybody is an actor, except the new hire.

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man - March 20 (Netflix)

For many years, Peaky Blinders was one reason a lot of people had their Netflix subscription. This week, it is once again as the feature film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man debuts. The movie has already gotten solid reviews from critics, and so fans will likely be very happy to see Cillian Murphy return to the role that introduced him to many. Barry Keoghan and Rebecca Ferguson co-star.

The final week of March approaches, and it’s going to be a big one, as Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 finally arrives. Check back here to see what else you won’t want to miss next week.

Critics and fans alike were all over Wicked when it hit theaters in 2024, but it’s no secret that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s press tour rubbed a few folks the wrong way. Some speculate this could be why, despite sky-high expectations for its follow-up, Wicked: For Good, it underperformed at the box office. One Oscar voter even confirmed the two’s interview behavior turned off many voters. However, one of the stranger rumors bandied about was that the two stars were lovers, and someone finally asked Erivo about it.

During a recent wide-ranging interview with Stylist, Erivo addressed the wave of speculation that followed her and Grande throughout the two-part adaptation’s rollout. Reflecting on the fascination with their closeness, she suggested the reaction had less to do with them and more to do with how audiences interpret intimacy between women. In her words:

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo captured significant media attention during the promotional run for the first part of For Good. If you followed the press tour even casually, you probably remember the viral clips. The hand-holding. The teary-eyed interviews. For some viewers, it read as heartfelt and genuine, while others felt it was performative. Either way, it generated conversation.

The Harriet star believes part of the discomfort stems from how rarely we see deeply bonded, platonic female friendships presented in the media. She continued:

The Outsider veteran actress’s perspective adds an interesting layer to the discourse. Hollywood is no stranger to on-screen chemistry being exaggerated for marketing purposes. Fauxmances are practically part of the promotional playbook; Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney did it with Anyone But You and, more recently, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi of faced fauxmance accusations with Wuthering Heights. But in this case, the Bad Times at the El Royale performer is pushing back on the idea that closeness must equal romance or strategy.

Let’s not forget, too, that Wicked wasn’t some quick press-cycle fling. It was a massive, years-long production that required both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to live inside these characters emotionally and physically. When you’re pouring that much vulnerability into something and doing it side by side, it’s not shocking that a real bond forms. That kind of shared experience tends to create a sense of closeness. The problem is, the internet doesn’t really do nuance.

What I actually appreciate about Erivo addressing this head-on is that she’s widening the conversation. The rumor itself might’ve been tabloid fodder, but the bigger issue is how uncomfortable people seemed to get when two women were visibly close without a romantic angle.

Sometimes two women are just friends. Deeply connected, supportive, affectionate friends. And that shouldn’t feel revolutionary. Honestly, we could use stronger platonic relationships in media across the board. Not everything needs a will-they-won’t-they spin. Friends can just be friends. I’m fully on board with normalizing that.

Press tour discourse aside, if you want to revisit what made the franchise explode in the first place, the original Wicked is currently streaming, and Wicked: For Good is available to rent with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

When it comes to comedies being released as part of 2026 movie schedule, one of the most exciting titles is Focker-In-Law a.k.a the fourth Meet The Parents movie. The sequel will not only reunite Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro in their hilarious roles of Greg Focker and Jack Byrnes, respectively. Ariana Grande is now in the mix as the latest in-law-to-be. Per Stiller, Grande and De Niro together will be a particular highlight of the film.

Ben Stiller offered up some new details about the upcoming movie, which wrapped filming back in October. Check out what he had to say:

The 82-year-old actor is, of course, one of the most iconic Hollywood actors, who’s known for starring in acclaimed dramas like Taxi Driver and The Irishman. However, he's also proven to be a rather gifted comedic actor, particularly in the Meet The Parents movies. During his recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Stiller had a lot of sweet things to say about De Niro, but I'm particularly pumped that the Oscar winner is going to get some sweet screen time with Grande’s character.

Per what we know about Focker-In-Law, Stiller decided to make the sequel much because he’s now the age De Niro’s character was in the original 2000 film, and thought it would be fun to return to the franchise to see Greg Focker dealing with his own kid bringing home his future wife. While we’d expect Greg to have a similar reaction that Jack did to his son’s fiancée, it sounds like Jack and Grande’s character, Olivia, will get along just swimmingly.

It’s the perfect setup, isn’t it? Greg might think he can finally bond with his father-in-law on the very thing that brought them at odds years ago, but it sounds like him being “stuck on the outside” again will mean that Jack will be all in on Olivia.

Grande previously said being on Focker-In-Law was actually more physically taxing than the Wicked movies, because she plays a triathlete, who’s kind of obsessed with exercise. She teased that she spent all day “doing burpees and high knees with Robert De Niro.” The detail definitely seems to prove further that Jack and Olivia will be buddies if they are even working out together! I can’t wait to see this chemistry unfold on the big screen, as it sounds like it will be comedic gold.

Along with Grande joining the cast and the return of Stiller/De Niro, other returning cast members are Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner and Teri Polo. Superman’s Skyler Gisondo will play Greg and Pam’s son, Henry Focker and Beanie Feldstein and Eduardo Franco are also part of the cast. Rumors have also swirled about Barbra Streisand possibly returning as Greg’s mom, though that remains to be seen. In any case, fans can see Grande and De Niro chop it up on the big screen when Focker-In-Law hits theaters on November 25 later this year.

Whatever your opinion on the use of AI, there’s little argument that the technology has some problems. While it can be a fun distraction, like producing X-Men that look like Disney characters or whatever other silly thing comes into your head, there’s so much it can’t do. And yet, you end up finding it in places you rarely expect.

In this case, you find it in a Vogue photoshoot for Ariana Grande. A Grande fan account on Instagram called out an image from a recent Vogue Japan feature, after noticing a fairly common error that occurs when AI tries to make or alter images: Ariana has too many fingers.

Grande fans in the comments of the post are experiencing a range of emotions. Many are confused about why AI would even have been used in this case. Many are angry at the perceived laziness involved. Others are just laughing at the ridiculous image.

One person who may be experiencing all of these emotions is Ariana Grande herself. She actually commented on herself with a pair of posts. In one post, it became clear she had no idea this was done when she said simply…

Those are the words of somebody who wasn't expecting to see too many fingers on her hand. Many people are very critical of AI, especially when it is used in creative fields. In this case, we have the creativity of photography being used to capture an artist, so it all looks bad.

The Wicked: For Good star decided to have some fun with the error in another comment. She joked about how beneficial another finger would be, saying…

Before anybody gets too excited, there isn't a new Ariana Grande album on the way. She's clearly making a joke (though some in the comments aren't taking it that way.)

The original Vogue Japan article online still has the picture in question up, though it appears it has been edited to remove the errant digit. If the image itself had been AI-generated, Grande likely would have said something. Assuming she did in fact pose for the picture, it would appear AI was used to retouch the image, leading to the mistake.

This particular error is a known problem with AI images and just one of the reasons that a lot of people don’t like that particular use for AI. Ariana Grande certainly doesn’t indicate her own feelings on the topic, though the pictures of her are likely owned by Vogue, and the magazine can probably do whatever it wants with them.

Wicked was a full-blown cultural moment when it hit theaters in 2024, which meant expectations were sky-high for its follow-up, Wicked: For Good. But as awards season rolls around, the contrast between the two films is hard to ignore. While the first movie earned 10 Academy Award nominations, the sequel was not treated kindly when it came to the 2026 Oscar nominations. Now, one Academy voter is shedding light on why the film failed to connect, and why its two leads ultimately left them cold.

Speaking with NewsNation, the voter said they found the sequel largely underwhelming and emotionally distant, despite the star power involved. In their view, the film never fully clicked, even with performers as acclaimed as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at its center. They explained:

The voter also pointed to the two films’ extensive press tour as a factor that didn’t help their perception. While Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo dominated headlines during the promotional run of the first part, leading up to For Good, the tone of their appearances struck some viewers as off-putting rather than endearing. The voter said the constant viral moments and heightened emotional displays ultimately worked against the sequel, adding:

The voter said it wasn’t just the movie that lost them, but the promotional campaign surrounding it as well. In their view, the press appearances felt off-putting, adding that the stars’ efforts to come across as genuine often had the opposite effect.

Several unscripted moments from the Wicked: For Good press tour went viral, diverting attention from the film itself. One widely discussed panel appearance showed producer Marc Platt grabbing Ariana Grande’s arm, prompting a visibly uncomfortable reaction and a swift, protective response from Cynthia Erivo. The clip spread quickly, with many viewers calling the exchange awkward and disproportionate.

A similar reaction followed a Paris premiere moment in which the two actresses were asked to describe each other’s “auras.” What began as a light question spiraled into another viral clip after Grande nervously second-guessed her answer, and Erivo responded with an elaborate description of her own. According to the voter, that cumulative fatigue played into the awards shutout, bluntly adding:

Whether audiences felt the same way as the Oscar voters' assessment or not, the divide between the two films is now firmly part of the conversation. For those curious to revisit what made the franchise take off in the first place, the original Wicked is currently available to stream, while Wicked: For Good can be rented with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, giving viewers the chance to decide for themselves where the magic faded.

Well, the 2026 Oscar nominations were great to big hits from 2025, like Sinners and F1. However, Wicked: For Good got totally shut out. After Wicked got ten nominations last year, I expected the sequel to be present at The Academy Awards this year too. That won’t be the case, though, and there’s one category it got shut out of that I’m particularly upset about.

Wicked: For Good Got Shut Out Of The 2026 Oscars

In the lead-up to The Oscars airing on the 2026 TV schedule, the nominations were announced, and I was shocked when I didn’t hear the words Wicked: For Good once. While the movie wasn't received as well as the first, I did think it'd be a player this award season.

Arguably, the biggest and most shocking snub for Wicked: For Good is Ariana Grande. She had been picking up nominations, including a 2026 Golden Globe nod, for her performance as Glinda in Act 2 of this beloved musical. She was also the highlight of the movie for many, as my Wicked: For Good review notes. So, yes, this was a shocker.

It’s also worth noting that For Good didn’t get an Original Song nomination. There were two new tracks in the film, and it was eligible for this category this time around. However, neither “Girl in the Bubble” nor “No Place Like Home” got named. While that’s a bummer, I can’t say I’m too shocked, especially since the conversation around this race in particular has centered around KPop Demon Hunters and Sinners, specifically.

Now, both the snubs I just mentioned are bummers. It also sucks that it didn’t get nods in below-the-line categories like Production Design, Visual Effects, Makeup and Hairstyling and more. However, there’s one snub that genuinely made me upset. So, let’s talk about it.

I Can’t Believe Wicked: For Good Didn’t Get A Costume Design Nomination

The snub that actually made me mad is Costume Design. That’s right, Paul Tazewell didn’t get nominated for his immaculate costumes, and that genuinely shocks me.

Last year, Wicked won two 2025 Oscars, one for Production Design and the other for Costume Design. Now, while I didn’t think For Good would get the ten nominations Wicked got last year, I at least expected it to get a nod in one of the categories it won in 2025.

In my Wicked: For Good review, I specifically noted how immaculate Tazewell’s costumes were. They truly helped define the characters and transport us into the fantastical world of Oz. These garments were beautiful, opulent, detailed and a true highlight of the film. So, I wanted the designer’s work to get recognized. Sadly, it wasn’t.

Instead, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme and Sinners made the cut in this category. I’m not saying they’re not deserving; they all are. However, I think some of the finest costume work done last year was in Wicked: For Good.

Overall, I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t think Wicked: For Good would receive the level of recognition Wicked got. It simply was not received as well as the first film. However, I do think it deserved a few nominations, and I’m really sad that we won’t get to see the movie at all at this year’s ceremony.

Now, if you’d like to see who takes home the gold as this year’s Oscars, you can catch the ceremony on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.

Until the past couple of years, Ariana Grande was best known as a pop star — the two-time Grammy-winning singer of hits like “7 Rings” and “God Is a Woman.” However, in 2025 Grande earned an Oscar nomination for her delightfully comedic turn as Glinda in Wicked, which she followed up with another great turn in Wicked: For Good. Her transition to focus on acting, however, wasn’t welcomed by everyone, and the artist opened up about the scrutiny she got and questions about her commitment.

Ariana Grande is no stranger to criticism, and she says she’s been judged since she started in the entertainment industry as a child. I guess it’s easy to forget that she got her start on Nickelodeon shows like Victorious and Sam & Cat, because her critics seemed to suggest that her success as a singer delegitimized her efforts to play Glinda in the Wicked adaptations. Grande told Variety she works to block out that negativity, saying:

Ariana Grande has been open about the training she did to earn the role of Glinda, the grueling audition process that had her singing four of Wicked’s iconic numbers multiple times. She also took a deep dive into the character, which had her collecting pink clothing and even considering what underwear the good witch would wear.

She worked hard to erase the pop star from her persona and completely transform into Glinda, and Ariana Grande said she’s proud of her results. She continued:

We’ve definitely seen a lot of crying from both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo and, really, who can blame them? What they’ve said about their characters’ emotional journeys, the magic movie moments and the relationships they formed with their co-stars is enough to elicit tears.

Wicked won two Academy Awards from 10 nods, and more are all but certain to come for Wicked: For Good when this year’s nominations are announced January 22 (come back to CinemaBlend for full coverage!).

Either way, Ariana Grande is keeping her focus on acting. She’s part of the ensemble cast of Focker In-Law — which she hilariously called more physically taxing than Wicked. The fourth movie in Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro’s Meet the Parents franchise is set for release on November 25 amid the 2026 movie calendar.

The first Wicked movie showed a young Elphaba played by Karis Musongole before we met her Cynthia Erivo-portrayed adult self, so it was only fair that Wicked: For Good also split Galinda/Glinda duties. The sequel brought in Scarlett Spears to play the little Galinda in a flashback, while Ariana Grande, of course, reprised the Good Witch for the main storyline. Tonight, these two actresses reunited ahead of the 2026 Golden Globes, and there’s an adorable video showing them together.

Obviously the two Glindas didn’t cross paths in Wicked: For Good, but they have met in real life multiple times. Thanks to Billboard, you can see the latest instance of Grande and Spears crossing paths, which happened before one of the biggest awards ceremonies of the years kicked off:

Awww, isn’t that cute! 2025 was a big year for Scarlett Spears, as not only did she play young Galinda, she made her film debut several months earlier playing the Young Dora Márquez in Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (which can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription). Naturally though, the second half of the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical got a lot more attention, and I’m glad that Spears was invited to attend the Golden Globes, but got to spend some time with Ariana Grande.

Unfortunately, though Wicked: For Good was nominated in four Golden Globes categories, including Ariana Grande for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, it didn’t win any of them. But we’re not done with awards season yet, and I’m optimistic that the second half of Wicked will get some recognition at the 98th Academy Awards in early March. That also provides another opportunity for Grande and Scarlett Spears to hang out with each other, and I’m hopeful the young girl will also be invited to that ceremony.

As with the first movie, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were joined in Wicked: For Good by Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James, among others. Colman Domingo and Bethany Weaver also came aboard to respectively play the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy Gale. Wicked: For Good was met with more mixed critical reception compared to its predecessor, and it also didn’t perform as well at the box office, making $522.5 million worldwide compared to the first movie’s $758.8 million.

Nevertheless, though the main Wicked saga has now been completed told in a cinematic setting, there are rumblings about a third movie potentially being made, and the Wicked brand as a whole evolving into a full-fledged media franchise. We’ll keep you apprised on if there’s any merit to these claims, but in the meantime, keep an eye out for Wicked: For Good to become available to stream with a Peacock subscription sometime later this year.

Saturday Night Live generates a lot more headlines for its topical political coverage and impressions of pop culture figures, but the lifeblood of the show has always been evergreen weirdness. Many of the best sketches of all-time involve original characters just living their lives or parodies of movies and TV shows that have been off the air for decades. The recent Christmas episode was a good reminder of that, as arguably the most viral sketch of the entire night was a parody of 1990’s Home Alone.

Given the popularity of the spoof, SNL dropped a behind the scenes video of the breakout sketch this week, and it’s a fascinating look into what it takes for the show to produce such a sophisticated pretape. Extensive work is needed from the production design team, the costume team, the effects team and, of course, full buy-in from the host.

The host part might sound like the easiest, but fifty years of SNL lore have told us that’s not the case. What gets on the air tends to be the material the host responds to and wants to be involved with. That’s why they used words like “luckily” behind the scenes when describing her reaction to the sketch. Not only was she into it, she wanted to take it even further.

The entire behind the scenes video, which runs a speedy three minutes, is a great overview of all the effort that went into the sketch. They talk about having to make their own green bathrobe because no one sells green bathrobes anymore. They talk about trying to mirror the set and camera shots of the house from the original movie as much as possible, and they talk about Colin Jost realizing how much he looks like Buzz and that he needs to be the one to play him.

You can watch the video in all its glory below…

The Home Alone sketch is, of course, the latest in a series written by Mikey Day and Colin Jost that have made classic movies more violent. The most famous of the first four is definitely Dead Poets Society, which is an absolute gem, but this Home Alone one already has three million views in just a few weeks and is climbing. I suspect it’ll carve out its own long-term reputation, as fans really enjoyed how it was put together and the performances from the various cast members.

SNL is currently off for the holiday break, but it’ll return next week with Finn Wolfhard from the recently concluded Stranger Things, followed by subsequent episodes featuring One Battle After Another’s Teyana Taylor and Alexander Skarsgard for the last week of the month. I can’t wait.

While last year saw Wicked as a clear contender in the awards race, at this point, Wicked: For Good isn’t getting the same kind of attention. Make no mistake, Jon M. Chu's fantastical sequel is still receiving some award nominations, though some governing bodies haven't honored the films' cast and crew. Just recently, Chu himself was snubbed for a major honor as was Cynthia Erivo. Now, Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, is sharing her thoughts on the nominations her collaborators didn't receive.

In a recent interview with Variety, Grande opened up about her recent focus on acting as she enters a new phase in her career as well as what’s in store for her as an artist. She also discussedWicked: For Good being excluded from several awards this season. For instance, Cynthia Erivo has notably didn't land a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild Awards for her role as Elphaba. Despite this omission, it seems like Grande is tremendously proud of the work her co-star did, and couldn’t gush about her enough:

Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu was also not a nominee for the Directors Guild of America award this year. Grande was also generous with her praise of this collaborator as well, and she is clearly happy with the end product that Chu put out there. She said:

It’s important to note that Wicked: For Good hasn’t completely been shut out of awards season. Erivo and Grande were both nominated for Golden Globes for their performances in the film and, even though Erivo didn’t land a SAG nomination, Grande did. Someone could argue that much of this could be attributed to the belief that the second half of Wicked is generally weaker story-wise, and musically and that that prevented the film from reaching the heights of the original.

Despite the Wicked follow-up not being the awards darling that some anticipated, the cast and crew still have a lot to be proud of. As of this writing, the film has grossed over $520 million worldwide, making For Good a box office hit. The movie also seemed to resonate with fans, with many audiences sobbing after in their seats after the film concludes. It also showcases the blindly paired Erivo and Grande's tremendous talents, and they truly give spectacular, emotionally charged performances. In my humble opinion, the two actresses are the highlights of the film.

As for Jon M. Chu, he has officially entered the A-list canon of directors and is attached to splashy projects like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Hot Wheels. Like the “Dangerous Woman” singer said, her collaborators have a lot to be proud of, even without being up front and center this awards season.

You can see Wicked: For Good now, as it’s still in select theaters nationwide. Fans can also revisit the first Wicked film now with a Prime Video subscription.

Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have maintained a lot of privacy since they each ended their respective marriages and started dating in 2023. It was somewhat surprising when they shared photos of the Christmas they spent together, but there’s still one aspect of Slater’s life that he insists on staying mum about, as the actor recently explained why he avoids telling stories about his son publicly.

Before meeting Ariana Grande on the set of Wicked, Ethan Slater was married to his high school sweetheart, Lilly Jay, and the two had a child in August 2022. While Jay didn’t mince words regarding how she felt about her marriage ending when their son was so young, Slater has largely refrained from discussing his personal life, particularly the now-3-year-old they share. During a conversation on the Downside with Gianmarco Soresi podcast, he gave some insight into why that is, saying:

That’s certainly understandable for someone in the public eye, especially amidst the Broadway veteran’s relationship with Ariana Grande.

The topic of his son came up when Wicked’s Boq portrayer was discussing his faith with the podcasters and spoke about lighting the menorah with his son. Ethan Slater didn’t go into detail, but he did mention that he’s grateful to have shared that with his child and that it’s been a “really interesting experience” to talk to him about what it means to be Jewish.

Ethan Slater’s efforts to protect his son’s privacy aren’t all that rare amongst celebrities these days. In the same way that couples like Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt don’t show their children’s faces on social media, the Spamalot actor has not publicly released his son’s name.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds kept their third daughter’s name a secret until Taylor Swift revealed it on “Betty,” a track on her Folklore album. Khloé Kardashian made fans wait a full year before revealing her son Tatum’s name on her family’s reality show, and Adam Levine also has refrained from letting the public know the name of his and Behati Prinsloo’s third child, a son, who will turn 3 at the end of January. (That one is very understandable, given how the baby’s name was actually a factor in Levine's sexting scandal.)

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have refused to show son Rocky’s face, despite the toddler appearing on The Kardashians. And while Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard — unlike Ethan Slater — have no problem sharing stories about their daughters (like how they’ve ordered nonalcoholic beer at restaurants), they also have never shown Lincoln and Delta’s faces.

I can understand why the Wicked actor would want to protect his young son, especially since Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande have faced some backlash for their relationship, and that makes it all the more special that he gave us a tiny peek at the meaningful moment they shared over the holidays.

The conclusion of Wicked has come and gone from the 2025 movie schedule, but the release of the pair of movies feels like something we’re going to be talking about for years to come – especially for longtime fans of the musical. I just came across Jon M. Chu’s explanation of how Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were paired up, and I had no idea it went down this way.

I’ve definitely heard about how cutthroat auditioning for Wicked was. Amanda Seyfried said she auditioned for the role six times before not getting the role. I can’t imagine how many rounds the movies’ Glinda and Elphaba went through. Check out what the director said about how they decided on the actors as a pairing:

It's wild, isn’t it? I’d expect that Grande and Erivo went through a ton of chemistry tests together before nabbing the roles, but apparently each of them earned their roles separately before being combined into a memorable duo. It sounds like Chu wasn’t quite sure the two would blend, but took a shot in the dark after spending a lot of time on picking each role. As he continued:

John Chu took a chance on a blind pairing, and came up very much in luck with these two actresses. And the fact that the first song they got to duet is “For Good,” feels like the perfect way for their journey together to start. Of course, both of them are huge talents in their own right and are perfect in their respective roles, but their chemistry as friends is so key to Wicked. The director also said this in an interview from TODAY with Jenna & Friends:

The rest is certainly history! The first Wicked movie came out last fall to commercial succes and multiple Oscar nominations (including for Grande and Erivo). The second movie, For Good, led to more mixed feelings among audiences, particularly for its new additions, but that has nothing to do with its leads’ specific talents. (Oh, and the sequel broke some box office records.)

And who can forget some of the iconic press tour moments! From the pair joining forces to method dress at events, to their meme-worthy “holding space” moment, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as a pair are unforgettable. If you’re missing the Wicked movies, you can currently watch the first movie with an Amazon Prime subscription, and/or buy/rent them on your preferred digital platform.

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater gave us a rare peek into their relationship, sharing sweet photos from their seemingly quiet Christmas together. The Wicked stars downplayed their romance while doing press for the musical sequel, leading some to think their two-year relationship was nearing its end, but Slater posted several pics of Grande that should put any split speculation to rest.

The actors have kept their relationship pretty private after coming together in 2023 on the set of Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the beloved musical and ending their respective marriages. Last year, Ariana Grande paid subtle tribute to her man through her Christmas decorations but, now, Ethan Slater has posted several photos of her on his Instagram Stories:

The “7 Rings” singer looks relaxed as she lounges on a couch, cuddling up to a little brown dog, in a chic black turtleneck and matching pants. Her hair is held back from her face in a bun with a white headband.

Ariana Grande smiled at the camera in a live photo, which she also reposted to her own Instagram:

Their Christmas together looks cozy and quiet, but the love between Ethan Slater, Ariana Grande and their friends is palpable, as the former coach of The Voice shared another photo snuggled up with a small group of buddies, including another Wicked co-star, Bowen Yang:

These cute pics seem to confirm reports that Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s relationship is still the real deal. Insiders said in November that they are supportive of each other’s careers and have a lot going on, but that hasn’t affected them as a couple.

The two have kept their relationship quiet after experiencing backlash over how things started between them. Ariana Grande reportedly separated from husband Dalton Gomez in February 2023 (though there have been questions about that timeline), with news of their impending divorce coming to light in July, after she was spotted at Wimbledon without her wedding ring.

Ethan Slater, meanwhile, filed for divorce from his high school sweetheart Lilly Jay Slater, who did not hold back her feelings on the “sudden public downfall” of her marriage.

Despite the controversy and relatively private relationship, Ethan Slater has shown his public support for Ariana Grande several times, and the two were even caught sharing a tender moment on the red carpet.

The man who spent four hours in the makeup chair to transform into the Tin Man for Wicked: For Good celebrated Ariana Grande’s Wicked Oscar nomination with a simple pic of her from behind, holding Glinda-pink balloons. He also had glowing words after her VMA win, saying “nobody deserves it more,” and was seen backstage at Saturday Night Live during her recent hosting gig.

It’s nice to get these small peeks into their relationship, and I love that they appear to have spent a quiet holiday together surrounded by their friends. You can see the couple in action in Wicked, which is streaming with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, and in Wicked: For Good in theaters.

There’s a reason Ariana Grande has hosted SNL three times (and appeared a few other times). She’s quick-witted, she’s funny, and she has an appealing taste in sketches, as evidenced by everything from the first Domingo sketch to the recent R-rated Home Alone ending rewrite she did during her latest episode. Working the show into her busy schedule sounds rough; however, and the Wicked star recently revealed how she managed to prep for Christmas while also working on Bowen Yang’s final episode.

Signing on to be the last SNL host of the year is not for the faint of heart. The episode aired just before the Christmas holiday, and the actress said she worked way ahead to get her shopping done before she started rehearsing for the sketch comedy series.

She joked in this clip from Late Night With Seth Meyers the result of this wrapping was “well-intentioned,” and it definitely sounds like a bit of an afterthought with everything else going on. Meanwhile, her hard work at 30 Rock paid off.

I personally thought Grande’s episode was the best of the season. It was certainly the most poignant when it closed with a sketch featuring Bowen Yang as a “retiring” airport employee at his last day on the job. It was a solid closing moment for an excellent episode overall, though it sounds like there was a lot more going on with Yang's exit behind the scenes.

Not every sketch Grande has worked on has worked out, though. Like so many before her, she told Seth Meyers when she becomes “attached to a sketch that doesn’t make it” it can be “really tough.” Meyers went on to joke it’s not a “person” and they don’t “put the sketch down,” but Grande confirmed it’s still heart-wrenching to lose an SNL sketch she poured time and effort into.

However, her most memorable cut for time sketch was one she did with Taran Killam. The sketch, called “New Studio” is apparently her dad’s favorite thing she’s done on the show. It also features very longtime player Kenan Thompson and Vanessa Bayer and it’s “very niche,” as Grande politely put it.

There are lots of great "Cut For Time" sketches that fans are familiar with thanks to SNL now pushing them out in places like YouTube. Some of them the Internet even gets a little obsessed with, including this recent Jacob Elordi Pimp My Ride-themed sketch.

Listen, technically Grande has appeared on SNL five times already, and she’s well on her way to the Five-Timers Club, an elite group of celebs that have hosted at least that many times. Those numbers include Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson (who's explained why the "delirious" feeling you get on SNL is worth it) and many more a-listers, and I think Grande is well on her way to ranking among them. She may just need to learn to kill a few more darlings, first.

Near the end of the 2025 TV schedule, Ariana Grande shared the stage with SNL’s season 51 cast to host the show's Christmas episode. From her hilarious “All I Want for Christmas Is You” song parody monologue to her Elf on a Shelf support group sketch, Grande brought her sense of humor and cuteness throughout the episode. Yet the sketch that’s still on my mind is the show’s alternate version of Home Alone’s ending, and it’s much more brutal than I could've imagined.

During the heartwarming ending of Home Alone (which you can stream with a Disney+ subscription), Kate McCallister comes home and reunites with her left-behind son, Kevin, only for the rest of the family to join seconds later. Saturday Night Live’s version of the ending skips the holly jolly vibes and replaces them with surprisingly mature material. Watch the pre-taped sketch below, and you’ll never think of your favorite Christmas movie the same way again:

Isn't that crazy?! A viewer could go from laughing at Ariana Grande’s Kevin McCallister impression to entering pure shock as you enter into a Final Destination-type scenario that sees Kevin’s relatives walking into his booby traps. I love how much the writers tied in the popular horror franchise by way of this SNL sketch’s twist ending. I'd be lying if I said I saw this coming.

As the question on a lot of people’s minds was whether Kevin’s parents ever found out about the attempted burglary in their house, this darkly humorous sketch delivers an unexpected answer. (Just wait until they find Kevin’s mapped-out plan of the traps if they really want to delve into the 8-year-old’s twisted mind.)

It's hard to deny that the best Home Alone booby traps delivered some serious injuries to Harry and Marv. I mean, a blow torch to the head and a nail to the foot aren't exactly Christmas memories to cherish. But, hey, Kevin had to defend his house since he was the only one who could.

When watching the Chris Columbus-helmed holiday movie as an adult, it feels more like a dark comedy compared to a silly slapstick flick. One fan even recreated the Home Alone booby trap scenes as a disturbing, bloody mess. Suddenly, the idea of the beloved holiday flick as a family-friendly film feels questionable, doesn’t it?

While I had a feeling Saturday Night Live would parody Home Alone due to its popularity around the holiday season, I never would have imagined they’d go so R-rated. Still, I loved every minute of seeing Kevin’s traps go all Final Destination on his family. After this sketch, I'm not sure if the show can get any more twisted with a film parody, but I'd like to see the writers try. You can find this dark spoof and more sketches from Ariana Grande’s latest SNL episode by streaming it with a Peacock subscription.

Wicked: For Good ends with a bittersweet goodbye from Elphaba and Glinda, where they go their separate ways to the tune of “For Good.” But soon after, Dorothy dumps a bucket of water on the Wicked Witch, and she presumably melts away. Little does everyone in Oz know that Elphaba didn’t really die; she actually ran away with Fiyero/The Scarecrow. However, I've been wondering: Does Glinda know about her friend's true fate?

That question is never truly answered in one of the biggest movie releases of 2025, leaving the answer up to the audience’s interpretation. Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo just shared her personal opinion on the fan debate, saying this:

In a new interview with Variety, Erivo revealed she’s in the camp of those who think that Glinda is completely unaware that her friend didn't die at the hands of Dorothy. It’s definitely a more tragic reading of the movie than the other option, but the Wicked star has a good point that it’s perhaps in the best interest of Glinda not to know.

Director Jon M. Chu has also been asked about this aspect of Wicked: For Good, but he chose not to share his own feelings on the ending. He said that he has a “definitive idea” in his head, but prefers “everyone to be able to interpret it how they want to.” If you look at Wicked: For Good at face value, there’s no reason for Glinda to believe Elphaba is alive, considering what she saw and how she reacted after Dorothy poured the water on her. But one could argue that she might have an inkling since she is a powerful witch.

Cynthia Erivo also shared her thoughts on another aspect of the Wicked: For Good ending. In her words:

Erivo said she thinks when she gives Glinda the Grimmerie, the Wicked Witch “doesn’t need the book anymore” because she’s “already in possession of her magic”. It makes for a sweet full-circle moment for Ariana Grande’s character, who has had trouble tapping into her magic since she was a kid. I know one of the biggest surprises for me was Glinda’s stronger character arc in For Good amidst a host of new additions to the hit musical.

Wicked: For Good is in the top 15 highest-grossing movies of the year, with a $475 million worldwide gross, per Box Office Mojo. The sequel may not have been as acclaimed as its predecessor, but it still had a lot of love around it – our Wicked: For Good review gave it 4 out of 5 stars. What Glinda knows or doesn’t know isn’t the only loose end of the movie, but it is kind of fun that the movie starts a conversation about what happens next.

Ariana Grande has had a pretty packed year, culminating with the much-anticipated release of Wicked: For Good on the 2025 movie schedule. But her busy year isn’t quite finished, as Grande is set to host Saturday Night Live this weekend with musical guest Cher. Now, I cannot get over how the dress she wore to promote this comedic event pays homage to Carol Burnett.

After NBC shared a new promo for Grande’s episode of SNL, the “yes, and?” singer took to Instagram to show off her look, which was a yellow, brown, and orange dress that looked incredible on her. However, it didn't just look incredible, it actually paid homage to comedy legend, Carol Burnett, which Grande made sure to highlight in her post. I’m truly obsessulated, and you will be too after you see this fit:

Celebrity stylist Law Roach, who is Grande’s current stylist, shared on his own Instagram that she was wearing a vintage Bob Mackie dress that was first worn by Burnett on The Carol Burnett Show back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Considering Burnett is an icon and is one of the women who changed television, it only makes sense that the Wicked star felt the need to pay tribute to her for the last SNL episode of the year.

Of course, Grande and Roach are no strangers to paying homage to legends through fashion. They worked together a lot during the Wicked: For Good press tour, and the Glinda actress's first outfit paid a lovely tribute to The Wizard of Oz. She wore a black dress that may seem simple but was actually a piece of Hollywood history, as Roach explained on Instagram. It was designed by Gilbert Adrian, the head costume designer at MGM from 1928 to 1941. A handful of clothing and items in The Wizard of Oz were Adrian’s originals, such as Dorothy’s gingham dress and ruby slippers, as well as Glinda’s pink gown.

So, that example, and Grande's SNL look proves just how much attention she and Roach pay to the projects they're promoting and the history they could highlight through fashion.

Grande is known for paying homage to her heroes, and not just through fashion. Back in 2018, she paid tribute to Aretha Franklin, who had just died at the age of 76. The legendary and powerhouse vocalist left a lasting impact on the industry, and the "We Can't Be Friends" singer showed just how much she admired the icon by covering “Natural Woman” on The Tonight Show, and it was as emotional as ever.

Whether or not Grande will pay tribute to Burnett, who was never an SNL cast member but still made it big in the comedy world, during Saturday Night Live is unknown. However, I'm positive that she'll have some incredible looks up her sleeve for her monologue and thank yous. Plus, her episodes are arguably some of the best, and I can already tell it’s going to be a fun one. Oh, and Cher is the musical guest for the first time in decades. So there's a lot that's worth tuning in for, and you can do just that either on NBC or with a Peacock subscription on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET.

If you told me Adam Sandler would one day passionately defend Glinda’s right to slap Elphaba, I would’ve asked what alternate universe we’d stumbled into. Yet here we are. In a recent chat with Ariana Grande, the Billy Madison icon sat down to trade stories about bruises and crying on cue, but the conversation eventually drifted to that moment when Glinda and Elphaba finally snap in the 2025 movie release and go at each other. Honestly, the whole exchange has my wicked heart growing by three sizes.

The exchange was shared in a clip by Variety on their official Instagram account. Sandler confidently plants his flag on Team Glinda, while Grande tries (and fails) to keep a straight face. She explained that the slap came from a grounded place in the characters' relationship, something that felt emotionally earned rather than just dramatic flair. The pop superstar and actress also noted that both witches are hurting in that moment and acting out of deep, complicated pain. Meanwhile, the Happy Gilmore actor had some very on-brand thoughts, saying:

During the chat, which you can see below, Grande followed up by laughing her way through a more nuanced take: she sees the confrontation as a collision of two women who have both messed up, and both feel justified in their hurt. For her, the moment wasn’t about “winning” but about letting the truth spill out between them. She emphasized that both Glinda and Elphaba are fully validated in that fight — a perspective that only makes her performance hit harder.

Throughout the interview, that blend of humor and honesty shaped the two stars' entire dynamic. Grande talked openly about the emotional discipline it took to play Glinda, including creating specific “triggers” so she wouldn’t have to tap into personal pain while filming scenes that cut close to the bone. Sandler, often remembered for his funny quotes across some of the best comedies on Netflix, related immediately. He shared his own experiences of repeating tough emotional beats across multiple takes and the pressure of not wanting to let a crew down when the material gets heavy.

And, even with all the serious craft talk, the highlight is still the Wicked Slap Summit of 2025. There’s something incredibly charming about the man behind Bobby Boucher throwing his full support behind Glinda’s moment of fury. The “7 Rings” singer, on the other hand, is doing her best to unpack the emotional wreckage of two witches coming apart at the seams. The whole exchange is chaotic in the best way and somehow, strangely tender.

On paper, pairing Sandler — the Gen X comedy icon who’s spent the last decade slipping into prestige drama and nearing Oscar gold — with Ariana Grande, the pop superstar taking on her most demanding acting role yet in Wicked: For Good, sounds like a wild matchup.

But the conversation is surprisingly grounded and, now, all I can think about is the two of them co-starring in some prestige two-hander. Can someone call the Safdie brothers and have them get started on that script already? I’d watch it in a heartbeat, and I'd love a subsequent press tour in which the two break down the film as thoughtfully (and humorously) as they do the Elphaba slap.

While we wait for that imaginary project to materialize, we at least have Wicked: For Good, now playing in theaters. Also, if you want to catch Adam Sandler’s latest dramatic turn, he stars alongside George Clooney in Jay Kelly, which is available with a Netflix subscription.

There’s no denying that Jon M. Chu’s Wicked adaptations have changed many people for good. After setting box office records with Act I in 2024, the second half of the movie defied gravity even further when it hit the 2025 movie calendar last month. It’s not just the average moviegoer who has been touched by Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship, but Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s peers in Hollywood as well, and Adam Sandler had lovely things to say when he spoke with the former about Wicked: For Good.

Adam Sandler and Ariana Grande sat down together for Variety and CNN’s “Actors on Actors” series, and while I’m not sure how much overlap their fanbases have, the Sandman had nothing but praise and admiration for what she accomplished as Glinda in Wicked: For Good. He told her:

It seems to me like when Adam Sandler talks about “we,” he’s probably referring to his wife Jackie and their daughters Sadie and Sunny — all of whom have become regular features in the Sandman’s movies. I love that they have apparently seen Wicked and Wicked: For Good and discussed the love that Glinda and Elphaba have for each other.

Adam Sandler also noted how intense things got for Ariana Grande’s character in the movie’s final act and recognized how much work it must have taken to stay in that emotionally heightened state while filming. While Grande admits to being a crier in real life, she said it’s not easy to tap into those emotions while playing a role. She said:

That sounds like a super smart and healthy way to handle that situation, intentionally focusing just on Glinda’s trauma to elicit an emotional response and not using tragedies from her own life, as many actors have done (and, at least in some cases, regretted).

We’ve been fortunate enough over the past year to witness the beautiful friendship that has formed between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and I love that Grande was paired with Adam Sandler for this conversation, as he’s never shy about showing love for his friends either.

Ariana Grande can be seen currently in Wicked: For Good, which remains in theaters as Wicked: Part I can be streamed with a Prime Video subscription. Adam Sandler also has a new movie out, as he co-stars with George Clooney in Jay Kelly, which is available to watch with a Netflix subscription.

I couldn’t be happier about how Wicked: For Good turned out, and based on the reactions from critics, our own Wicked 2 review and the smash box office success already, I’m not alone in that feeling. Still, it’s always fun to learn the ways in which the movie changed throughout production. For example, the co-writer of the Wicked sequel has revealed one “too passionate” moment between Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey’s Glinda and Fiyero was cut. SPOILERS AHEAD.

As revealed early in For Good, Glinda and Fiyero get engaged to be married, but it’s not necessarily out of true love between the pair. In the movie, The Wizard, Glinda and Madame Morrible “surprise” Fiyero with the news of the arrangement in front of a crowd. Here’s what co-writer Dana Fox told Deadline:

Given the particular charm of Jonathan Bailey (he just became People’s Sexiest Man Alive), it doesn’t surprise me that he’s practically incapable of filming an awkward kissing scene. During the original engagement scene, Fiyero and Glinda were going to share a smooch, but after the scene was in the can, the filmmakers decided to take the moment out. As Fox explained:

Rather than seeing Fiyero kissing with Glinda and Elphaba, the Wicked filmmakers decided to only keep the romance between Fiyero and Elphaba during the “As Long As You Love Me” song. It totally makes sense that the audience might have turned on Fiyero, and not liked him as much if he was seen being physically affectionate with both women.

That's especially the case given the way they are describing how the scene turned out. As Dana Fox shared, it was a “good cut” and benefitted the movie in the end not to have it in the movie.

At first, Glinda is understandably not very happy when Fiyero goes with Elphaba when she crashes their wedding, However, in the end she realizes that he really loves Elphaba, and ultimately makes up with Elphaba in particular.

So when Fiyero chooses Elphaba, the audience doesn’t feel too betrayed by Fiyero because it doesn’t seem like he was too into Glinda to begin with. Of course, Elphaba’s romance has some complications of its own when he makes his terrifying transformation as Scarecrow (which involved hours of makeup) and ultimately ends up running away with Elphaba, whom everyone believes to be dead by the end of the movie.

We do have to wonder if Glinda does actually think her friends to actually be dead or not. Director Jon M. Chu said that he has a “definitive idea” in his head, but he wants the audience to "interpret it how they want to.” It’ll be interesting to rewatch the “Thank Goodness” scene knowing the kiss that could have been.

I first fell in love with Wicked by way of the original Broadway soundtrack. I did get the chance to see it on stage too for a class field trip, but that was after I’d memorized every lyric of that CD from front to back. I filled so much of my own gaps around what happens between the songs that I nearly forgot the plot to Act II when the Wicked release date recently came. Even so, suffice to say, the beauty of the movies being split into two parts is it gives the audience more time to get to know its characters more than ever, and I need to talk about one way I think that really paid off.

Now that I’ve seen both movies, I’m left with a great love for Glinda that I never thought I would have. Let’s get into my personal journey with the character:

Growing Up, I Always Understood Elphaba Way More Than Glinda

As a bit of a girly-girl as a child, of course I loved Glinda when I got into Wicked. She’s the one who gets to be pretty and wear all the sparkly outfits. She symbolizes the archetype of how I wanted to be viewed in many ways, because Glinda is the “popular” girl who has no trouble fitting in and making friends. However, on an emotional level, I could instantly relate much more to the character of Elphaba. She symbolizes the misfit that doesn’t feel like she’s in the right place, and dreams that one day the thing that makes her feel different and weak will actually make her valuable and strong. (Looking back, Wicked is kind of the perfect story of young girls growing up in this way).

With that in mind, of course I ended up rooting for Elphaba, and I never really honestly cared about Glinda’s perspective, for example, when Elphaba leaves her to become the Wicked Witch or she loses Fiyero to her. I saw her as the stereotypical “mean” girl who gets what’s coming to her.

Ariana Grande's Performance Really Warmed Me Up To Glinda In The First Movie

Cut to my experience seeing Wicked last winter. I was looking forward to both performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, but wow, did Grande’s Glinda blow me away in a way I wasn’t expecting. Grande is the perfect Glinda. She grinds your gears when she gives Elphaba just a corner of her suite, or calls Elphaba names, who she also refers to as her “new project,” but there’s also something really charming about the role, and the way the actress brings depth to her.

The character specifically grows on you during the “Dancing Through Life” Ozdust Ballroom scene. When Glinda is given a chance for her dreams to be a witch to come true, thanks to Elphaba pulling some strings with Madame Morrible, that’s when their friendship really starts in my eyes. Glinda could have rested easily knowing she got what she wanted, but she sticks her neck out for Elphaba by dancing with her, and from there on out a true friendship really starts to form.

In the movies, Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship reminds me of some friendships I’ve had where I’ve felt like the other gal in the friendship feels “out of my league” in terms of life experience and affluence. At first there may be this wall up between you because it’s not a typical match, but once you realize you just want to be the other’s friend, there’s something really magical about an “opposites attract” kind of friendship like Glinda and Elphaba have. Their genuine moments together really made me believe them as friends more than the musical ever did (or had time to).

And In For Good, I Can Finally Understand Her Perspective

While Glinda finally sold me on the first movie, For Good really surpassed what I thought was possible for the character. And, this has a lot to do with the new additions made to For Good. I especially appreciated the flashback scene Glinda gets at the beginning of the movie following Elphaba having her own in the first part. We see a young Glinda as she gets a wand for her birthday, but doesn’t know how to use magic. She doesn’t feel like she’s good enough because she doesn’t possess magic, but she’s able to play it off and lead people to believe she does when a rainbow miraculously appears for her. Her mother then tells her that all she’ll ever need to do is “be liked,” and that obviously sticks with her into adulthood.

It’s a short scene, but it means so much to understanding Glinda, because you understand her motivations as she becomes the Good Witch, and effectively betrays her friend at first. She’s been told that in order to be valuable she needs to be “liked,” and therefore it’s the hardest thing in the world to do what Elphaba asks of her regarding taking a stand and go against the grain. But, it also means so much more when we see that Elphaba believes she can really do magic, and become who she really wants to be in the end.

And The New Song, 'Girl In The Bubble' Is A Big Reason Why

It’s also beautifully shown how she has her “hero” moment of growth, and ends up helping Elphaba after all in the end through the new “Girl In The Bubble Song”. Through the song, she basically realizes that she’s become loved due to layers and layers of “lies” and closing her eyes to what injustices have been going on doesn't sit right with her. As she seems to learn through the movie, if she really wants to be Glinda The Good, she has to settle for not being liked by everyone – and being a real person rather than the fantasy she’s kind of concocted for the world to see her as.

Watching For Good, I realized I relate both to Elphaba and now Glinda. Not unlike her, I have my own people-pleasing patterns I’m always trying to challenge, and Glinda’s arc is a beautiful reminder that it’s important to pop your own bubble in order to grow in your life. I’m so grateful for the love and care the filmmakers and actors brought to these roles when Glinda could have easily continues to simply be cast as the lovable mean girl because it only makes me love Wicked even more.

SPOILERS are ahead.

With Wicked: For Good being one of the biggest 2025 movie releases (just look at its first weekend box office numbers), there are, of course, a lot of different thoughts floating around about the sequel. To speak for myself, I really enjoyed every bit of it even though, yes, the new additions took me off guard at first. I’m a longtime fan of the Broadway musical, and I’m so pleased with how it turned out that I know there will be many Wicked movie marathons in my future. But, I have one question that I think might haunt me for a long time.

Uh… What Happens To Tin Man At The End Of Wicked: For Good?

During For Good, we effectively get the backstories for all the main characters in the original Wizard of Oz story. Perhaps the most tragic of them all is the story of Tin Man, who we learn is Ethan Slater’s Boq. After Glinda emboldened him to ask out Elphaba’s sister Nessa in the first movie, we learn that he’s been sort of kept prisoner by her since. When he tells his friend that he wants to leave, she puts a ban on munchkins leaving the region, which leaves him stuck with her.

This leads into Nessa accidentally turning Boq into the Tin Man when she tries to use the Grimmerie to capture his heart, and almost kills him. Elphaba works quickly to save him, but can only do so by turning him into the iconic Wizard of Oz character without a heart in a rather traumatizing transformation scene. From there, we know he goes on the storied journey with Dorothy, but the movie never tells us how his arc ends aside from that.

Boq’s Story Was Literally Heartbreaking, And They Just Left It That Way

Perhaps this was purposeful, but I felt this loose end to be a particularly sad element of For Good, because what happens to Boq is honestly one of the darkest stories in the whole thing. Boq was in love with Glinda, and he was punished for it, and treated really poorly by Nessa for his initial kindness to her back in their Shiz days. His anger is showcased in the music number, "March of the Witch Hunters," which declares that he’s “glad” he’s heartless because he’ll be “heartless killing her.” But, we get no payoff for him.

I guess the Tin Man walks away from the events of For Good thinking he did aid in the murder of the Wicked Witch, and perhaps will be touted a hero from now on, but I wish the movie spent at least a single moment wrapping up his story. And, I do have to wonder if the Tin Man ever decides to appeal to Glinda after being in love with her for so long. Of course, Slater and Grande are reportedly together in real life, and have been since filming the movie, so I think it would have been fun if Glinda finally opened her heart to someone who really loved her following Elphaba and Fiyero/Scarecrow running off together.

I guess I’ll be left wondering about this tragic character every time I watch Wicked: For Good forever? Perhaps, there will be some answers in the bonus features somewhere, but, wow, is it a big bummer of the movie that they never gave us some closure with Tin Man.

When it was first announced that Wicked, the long-awaited adaptation of the stage musical, would be two movies rather than just one, I have to say I was more than a little disappointed. Generally speaking, I’m really not a fan of adaptations that split themselves in half. I didn’t like it when Harry Potter did it, and I’m not even really a fan of Kill Bill as two films.

Splitting a story into two films always feels more like a studio decision made to double the ticket sales than it does a creative decision to make a better film. That said, I actually really enjoyed Wicked: Part One and thought it worked quite well as a single movie. Unfortunately, the sequel is far less successful.

I Loved How Wicked: Part One Worked As A Singular Movie

My major takeaway from Wicked: Part One when I saw it, was that I was impressed by how well the movie worked by itself. I called it the best “part one” movie I had seen at the time. By virtue of the fact that the original musical has a set break between its two acts, and the fact that there’s a time jump between them that’s measured in years, Act One, and by extension movie one, largely has to tell a complete story.

Elphaba has a complete character arc throughout Act One, which makes the first movie satisfying. There isn’t a need for another film to make it feel like a whole story. If only that had been the case with Wicked: For Good.

Wicked: For Good Doesn’t Work Nearly As Well On Its Own

Knowing how well Wicked: Part One worked on its own, and thinking that, having only seen the movie a year ago, that I remembered everything that happened in it, I decided not to rewatch the first movie before sitting down for For Good. This was a mistake on my part.

I wasn’t entirely wrong. When it came to the major plot beats, the primary cast, I remembered who everybody was, what their relationships were, and where the plot had left each of them. However, there were a lot of smaller details that I could not remember.

Did I recall that Elphaba had a run-in with a lion cub in the last movie? Yes. Could I tell you exactly what actually happened between them? No. Elphaba’s friend, who is a bear? No idea. Are we sure that was in the first movie?

While Elphaba’s character arc is complete at the end of the first film, For Good is much more the Glinda story. Nearly all of her character growth happens in the second film. That works pretty well, all things considered, but ultimately, Wicked is about the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, and that’s the arc that does get chopped in half. The emotional finale of the film isn’t Glinda’s resolution; it's the resolution of the relationship, and that’s done a disservice by the split story.

Wicked still works better than most stories that are split in half. It's two chapters of the story, rather than one chapter being sliced in half. But ultimately, the sequel doesn't work on its own the way the first movie did. That's fine, but maybe take some time to rewatch Part One before going to see For Good.

Spoilers for Wicked: For Good are ahead! Read with caution, and catch the movie in theaters now.

Wicked: For Good's finally out on the 2025 movies schedule, and with the conclusion of Elphaba and Glinda’s story comes two brand new songs. One of those tracks is “The Girl in the Bubble,” which Ariana Grande’s Glinda sings right before she makes a big decision to go help Elphaba. However, in the initial edit, the track was placed at a different point in the movie, and the editor told CinemaBlend how moving it impacted "everything."

If you've seen the movie already, you should know, this new addition to Wicked: For Good shows a major turning point for Glinda. After “The March of the Witch Hunters," we're shown the mob that’s going after Elphaba. There, she sings about living in a world of lies, and she recognizes her own ignorance. She decides it’s time for her bubble to pop, and for her to face reality.

According to the Wicked movies’ editor, Myron Kerstein, that moment was initially placed later in the film after a conversation Glinda had with Madame Morrible. However, eventually they decided to move it up, as he told CinemaBlend’s Rachel Rosenfeld, changing "everything."

That certainly would have been a different take! That’s because after “March of the Witch Hunters” and “Girl in the Bubble,” which happen one right after another in For Good, Glinda immediately goes to find Elphaba. That second song helps the audience understand what’s going on in Grande’s character’s head as she finally decides to act against The Wizard and Morrible and help her friend.

To that point, Kerstein discussed the placement change further. He specifically noted questions to think about when it comes to how the placement of the song impacts one’s interpretation of it, explaining:

He went on to say that the context around “The Girl in the Bubble” changed with this move, and therefore, it impacted the ways audiences will experience and think about the song in the greater context of the story. He said:

Overall, director Jon M. Chu and his team have been open about making the Wicked movies at the same time and changing For Good after Wicked came out, and I’m here for this particular update. The placement of “The Girl in the Bubble” right after “March of the Witch Hunters” is effective to me, and it helps us really understand where Glinda is at during this dire moment in Oz.

Now, to go back and see this moment in the well-reviewed Wicked: For Good, you can catch it in theaters now.

We’ve been waiting a year for the release of Wicked: For Good on the 2025 movie schedule. However, the two Wicked films were actually filmed at the same time. That means it was quite the beast of a project to film and edit together, and the movies’ editor, Myron Kerstein, told CinemaBlend just how difficult it was to juggle moments like “Popular” and “No Good Deed” at the same time.

Those who have seen the Broadway musical know that Act I and Act II of Wicked are tonally very different. While the first part is colorful, bubbly and fun, the story For Good covers is significantly darker. They truly are two totally different movies, and that made working on them at the same time a challenge. During an interview with CinemaBlend’s Rachel Rosenfeld, the movies’ editor Myron Kerstein explained why that was the case, saying:

This really isn’t for the faint of heart. I’d guess that making two movies at the same time would be rough regardless. However, juggling Wicked and Wicked: For Good feels like a particularly massive challenge, because it has to tell a cohesive story while also giving fans two distinctly different movies.

In the well-reviewed Wicked: For Good, we jump forward and meet Elphaba, Glinda and co. long after the events of the first film. They’re all grown up, they’re more mature, many of them are a lot angrier, and overall, the story is significantly darker.

Juggling that story with Wicked, which got great reviews, was a challenge. However, Kerstein told us that by working closely with cinematographer Alice Brooks, they were able to put it all together. He said:

Along with having conversations with the cinematographer about how to flip between things like the bubblegum pink number that is “Popular” and the deep dark moment that is “No Good Deed,” he also spoke with director Jon M. Chu a lot. Explaining how the conversations with the filmmaker helped the editor, Kerstein said:

Since they filmed Wicked and Wicked: For Good at the same time and not in chronological order, the cast and crew probably always had to be aware of where they were in the story while also being able to jump to a totally different point on a moment's notice. On top of all that, they had to keep the full vision in mind. So, I can see why it could get confusing.

Overall, I totally get why working on both films was a “bit of a brain fry.” However, it all worked out! Now, we can all watch Wicked with an Amazon Prime subscription, and you can see Wicked: For Good in theaters now.

A number of musicals have won Best Picture over the years, and another contender for this year's Awards Season will be Jon M. Chu's Wicked: For Good. The first movie, which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription, adapted the first act of the stage musical, and the sequel will show its conclusion. I'm an apologist for Act 2 of the Tony-winning hit, but I can't defend the new additions to the music.

What we know about Wicked: For Good was limited ahead of its release, but the movie's soundtrack list revealed that two new songs were added. Namely "The Girl in The Bubble" and "No Place Like Home", sung by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, respectively. Unfortunately, these new songs by the great Stephen Schwartz failed to measure up to the tracks originally featured in the Broadway musical. Let's break it all down.

Wicked: For Good's New Songs And Other Additions Couldn't Compare To The Originals

Splitting Wicked into two movies sounded like a risk at first, but I fully co-sign this decision. This choice made sure that none of the beloved songs from the musical were cut, and also allowed for the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba be even more fleshed out. Since Act 2 is usually shorter than the first, this also meant that For Good had the screentime to add two new tracks just for the movie (and presumably to try and get Best Original Song nominations during Awards Season).

Unfortunately, the new songs simply didn't have the same ear worm quality as their predecessors. In fact, I was shocked by how non-melodic these tracks were, especially compared to the no-skips nature of the Original Broadway Cast Recording. And while "The Girl In The Bubble" helped the audience get into Glinda's POV, we already had that moment in "Thank Goodness."

I saw For Good in a private screening filled with theater kids, so in theory we would have been the ideal audience to enjoy Schwartz' two new songs. But it was a pretty clear consensus that the two new additions weren't up to snuff with the rest of Wicked's beloved score.

It wasn't just the two new songs that got this reaction, though. There were new introductions added to both "Wonderful" and "The Wicked Witch of The East" that were similarly non-melodic. The latter was particularly bothersome for me, since the movie is the first time Nessa's Act 2 feature was given a proper recording. While I wouldn't have mind if lyrics were changed to make the song less ableist, the new intro felt out of place.

It's important that "The Wicked Witch Of The East"'s melody is introduced early on, but that didn't happen. What's more, another section of the underrated track ended up being spoken by actress Marissa Bode. So once again I felt like the song I love so much didn't get its fair shake.

Wicked: For Good is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, complete with its new music. We'll just have to wait and see if audiences agree or disagree with my take.

Ariana Grande is about to take the stage in one of the most anticipated movies on the 2025 movie schedule. Wicked: For Good, which is the second half of a massive musical undertaking, certainly had to be a lot of very exhausting work. It may be easy to assume that Grande's next film, Focker-in-Law, wouldn't be as strenuous. However, it seems the actress' next film has been almost as bad, if not worse.

In the latest Meet the Parents sequel, Grande plays a character named Olivia Jones, and details about how she figures into the story remain mostly under wraps. While appearing on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcasr, though, Grande -- who recently wrapped on Focker -- revealed that she did some pretty serious physical exercise for the new movie. That was because it’ was specifically required for the character she is playing. She explained...

All the choreography and dancing the Wicked movies required was almost certainly a lot for the stars of the films. However, some may assume that, considering Ariana Grande’s pop star career, she’s had some experience with such work that it wasn’t anything she wasn’t able to handle. It’s less clear if she does burpees regularly.

On top of that, can we take a second and be in awe of the fact that Grande worked out with 82-year-old Robert De Niro and, from the sound of it, was taking her to school? Given that De Niro referred to the star as "Olivia," though, it's possible that Grande was describing a scene from the film involving Jones and Jack Byrnes.

Most notably, Grande says her Focker-in-Law character is “a lot of things,” with one of them being a triathlete, and that there's apparently a lot of biking in the movie. It seems that, while Grande clearly isn’t out of shape, she’s had a bit of a time keeping up with both her co-stars, who seem to be in good shape.

That said, the "7 Rings" singer confirms that making Wicked was quite a physical experience. It wasn’t just the physicality of the performance, though. Grande says that the costuming also had its own struggles, because nearly every outfit she wore in the musical duology included a corset. Only one outfit provided relief, as Grande continued…

From serious clothing to serious workouts. Let it never be said that Ariana Grande isn’t willing to put the work in. But maybe she'll eventually land a movie that doesn’t require quite so much.

Wicked: For Good soars into theaters on November 21, while Focker-in-Law hits the 2026 movie schedule on November 25.

The moment we’ve all been waiting a year for has arrived — the second half of Jon M. Chu’s Wicked adaptation is hitting the 2025 movie calendar. Wicked: For Good — or, as the director calls it, “the most compelling side of the story” — depicts Act II of the Broadway production and hits theaters on November 21. The first movie broke box office records and earned more than $700 million worldwide, so will Chu stick the landing?

Critics have seen Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo come together as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West for the grand finale, and according to CinemaBlend's review of Wicked: For Good, audiences can expect more stunning visuals, remarkable performances and beautiful music. For our own Riley Utley, the darker second act doesn't outshine the first, but she still rates it 4 stars out of 5, writing:

Deadline’s Pete Hammond, meanwhile, thinks Wicked: For Good soars even higher than the first, which is a pretty big ask, considering how masterful the first movie was. Hammond says:

David Gordon of TheaterMania agrees that the lead actresses are at their best, particularly Cynthia Erivo, whose magnetism radiates off of the screen with musical numbers that feel like a thrill ride. Expanding the story of the theater production's hourlong second act into a full feature gives the story room to breathe, with certain plots deepened and intensified. The critic says:

The previous critic couldn’t take his eyes off of Cynthia Erivo, but for THR’s David Rooney, Ariana Grande steals the show as she brings “luminous life” to Glinda. Wicked has historically favored Elphaba’s complex story of persecution, but For Good elevates Glinda’s story to a level playing field without significantly changing the well-known narrative. Rooney says fans will “rejoicify”:

Bilge Ebiri of Vulture says Wicked: For Good is notably darker than its predecessor, which is a good thing. It’s also more focused and more human, bringing the full movie to a surprisingly satisfying conclusion that left audience members in tears. The critic writes:

For some critics, however, not even Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse performances could completely overshadow the supposed misstep of making us wait a year for this conclusion.

Kate Erbland of IndieWire gives the movie a B-, saying that too much time has passed to remember important plot points and character machinations without a rewatch of Wicked: Part I. However, we couldn’t ask for more from the leading duo, either in terms of personifying their characters or their singing. The critic continues:

It sounds like fans of the first movie are in for more thrills in this story’s emotional conclusion. Regardless of whether a year was too long to wait, at least that wait is over, as Wicked: For Good hits theaters on Friday, November 21. If you do need a refresher before heading out, Wicked: Part I is available to stream with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

With Wicked: For Good’s release almost at our fingertips, the fans are ramping up for the highly-anticipated sequel. Truly though, the hype’s been there since Part One’s initial premiere (available to stream with a Peacock subscription), but now that the 2025 movie calendar blockbuster is nearly here, things are leveling up. One item that cast members have been fielding has been pleas, requests and inquiries about a threequel. Most recently, Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang shared their thoughts on the possibility.

Grande shared a clip on Instagram from a Wicked panel talking about her feelings in regards to any third Wicked movie rumors. While she didn’t directly state that they’d continue down the Yellow Brick Road on set together, she didn’t dismiss ditching Glinda’s bubble either. In true pop princess fashion, she equated the future of Jon M. Chu’s Oz to Cher’s numerous farewell tours by saying:

First of all, I’m loving the Cher tour reference in general. I also love that the line acts as a small nod to their recently announced SNL host and musical guest lineup pairing. Now that the icon’s highlights are covered, let's return to the threequel discourse.

The Eternal Sunshine artist’s comment elicited the interviewer to ask about the possibility of more of the world being explored post WFG. Ariana Grande quickly denied that she knew one way or the other and jumped into how she feels relieved people will finally be able to see the intended conclusion:

Based on her feelings that filming was a 'tremendous’ undertaking, I can see this. And that’s coming from someone who’s entirely familiar with the story, but hasn’t seen the full Broadway show. Part Two will inevitably be a doozy, and receiving the feedback after the public has seen it will be its own adventure for the cast and crew.

Co-star, and pal, Bowen Yang shared similar sentiments with Variety. After being asked about the rumors and likelihood of a third installment, the Saturday Night Live star said he was okay if they didn’t continue. With that, he wryly had an alternative spinoff for Glinda’s two besties, as he said:

I love the offbeat offshoot inspiration, though I’m not sure it’d get too much actual traction. Then again, if Jon M. Chu feels that the sequel is 'the most compelling side of the story,' fans will be ravenous for any Ozian content. While all of the possibilities remain somewhere over the rainbow, I want to believe we may have some sort of farewell tour, just not in movie form.

My hope, and guess, is that the cast, or even just Grande and Cynthia Erivo, may do another live performance. A real 'what if' scenario, and my far left field thought, is some special event involving Broadway. Wicked fans across the board would, assumingely, be thrillified. For now, though, a girl can dream.

Until then, Wicked stars like Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang will have to continue to navigate through the threequel questions. Hopefully some answers may reveal themselves after Wicked: For Good releases.

Wicked: For Good had a tough act to follow, as it comes on the heels of the widely well-received Wicked. The bar is high, and the stakes are set for the epic conclusion of the Broadway musical adaptation, and in a lot of ways, it meets them. However, since I have always been a bigger fan of Act 1 than Act 2, I was left with complex feelings about the highly anticipated sequel.

In Wicked: For Good, quite a bit of time has passed since the events of Wicked. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is widely seen as a true wicked witch, Glinda (Ariana Grande) works with Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) now, and the political climate in Oz has gotten scary, as laws against animals have been put in place.

Erivo’s witch is determined to save her home from this terrible mess, though things get complicated when it comes to her friendship with Glinda. From there, For Good asks audiences to ride with these women as they come to terms with what they want their world to look like and what they can do to save it.

Overall, much like Wicked, this film directed by Jon M. Chu feels like a technical masterclass that is full of stunning visuals, remarkable performances and beautiful music. For me personally, however, it didn’t change me for good like the first part did.

Ariana Grande absolutely steals the show with her nuanced portrayal of Glinda.

Ariana Grande has a tight rope to walk in Wicked: For Good. As we see during the final moments of the first movie, Glinda is torn between her best friend and a world she’s always dreamed of – where she is the beloved witch. That struggle continues in the sequel, and the actress playing the “good” character portrays it beautifully.

When she sings “Thank Goodness,” her vocals are not just gorgeous, they’re also layered as Glinda tries to put on a mask for Oz that makes it seem like she believes something she’s not 100% sure about. And that mask proves to be a vital part of her arc.

Meanwhile, she is also the source of some of the movie's biggest laughs. There’s a fight between Glinda and Elphaba that, while serious, is very funny because of physical comedy chops demonstrated by the actress.

While Elphaba’s motivations are pure and clear, Glinda’s journey is grey (despite all the pink). Grande plays it with an impressive amount of nuance that makes it so her character is never really a villain; she’s simply struggling to understand her place in this situation and is trying to figure out the right thing to do.

The cast brings depth and darkness to this story in a way that helps distinguish it from Part 1.

Wicked: For Good takes a notably dark turn, and the cast brings their A-game when it comes to the drama.

Cynthia Erivo is particularly impressive in this capacity, as she plays out Elphaba’s struggle to save Oz in a powerful and angry way that also features a light and hope that is admirable. Her commanding performance of “No Good Deed” comes to mind here. The witch’s breaking point blew me away, as it emotionally communicates her struggle to do the right thing while the whole world thinks she’s trying to destroy it.

Meanwhile, Marissa Bode, Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater all bring darker sides to Nessarose, Fiyero and Boq, respectively, that shine a bright light on how their characters are impacted by the events of the first film.

With Bailey's return as Fiyero specifically, there’s an angst that is reminiscent of his work as Anthony Bridgerton on Bridgerton – which I love. In For Good, the happy-go-lucky prince gets angry, comes to terms with the darkness around him, and works hard to set things right. It’s a beautiful and revealing journey, and it helps Fiyero grow as a character exponentially.

Bode and Slater's performances also come with surprising anger that flooded me. Both Nessa and Boq have their own reasons for being filled with fury, and the actors bring that to life in a visceral way, which, in turn, helps viewers understand just how far things have fallen in Oz.

Paul Tazewell’s costumes shine brightly in this dark tale.

When the credits rolled at my screening, and costume designer Paul Tazewell’s name appeared, the woman in front of me applauded, and that was the correct reaction.

He designed the costumes for both movies by Jon M. Chu, and somehow, I think Tazewell tops himself with For Good. That’s saying a lot, too, because he rightfully won an Oscar for his work on Wicked, and I feel like it could easily happen again here.

When Glinda appears on screen in her blue and pink dress, my jaw dropped. The way it sparkles in the darkness of this film is magnificent, and it helps highlight Grande’s beautiful performance.

Likewise, the texture on Elphaba’s dresses is also beyond impressive. The layers and patterns Tazewell uses on her looks help them be so much more than just your typical black witch’s costume. Therefore, her clothes help highlight and emphasize the complex story of the Wicked Witch of the West.

The costume designer's work in general also helps immerse us in Oz. From the Munchkins' outfits to the gem tones of the Emerald City, these costumes bring distinct life and bright color to this world, and it makes the movie all the more immersive. It also helps signify how the characters have changed from the first story to the second, and I simply couldn’t be happier about it.

I have always preferred Act 1 to Act 2 of this musical, and that did impact my enjoyment of Wicked: For Good.

Here's the deal: I’m not a big ballad person, I love a big splashy dance number, and the songs from Act 1 – like “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life” and “Defying Gravity” – have been my favorites from Wicked for decades. So, I knew I probably wouldn’t like For Good as much as I liked Wicked – and I was right.

I remember watching the first of Jon M. Chu’s films and being moved to tears numerous times, and that just didn’t happen during For Good. It’s hard to explain why that’s the case; however, I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve always been more emotionally invested in and attached to Act 1. For Good isn't the spectacle Wicked is, which I believe is intentional due to its darker story. But I didn't love that that was the case. I also think “Defying Gravity” is one of the most moving and profound endings I’ve seen, and while I appreciate the end of this second act, it doesn't sucker punch me in the heart like the first movie did.

I find this story about Elphaba and her battle with the Wizard a tad hit-or-miss, with some subplots and characters left underdeveloped and me less invested in the narrative. Combine that with my already big feelings about Act 1, and you get a recipe for mixed emotions. That being said, Wicked: For Good is still absolutely wonderful. The story is touching, it’s beautifully made, and it provides a fulfilling conclusion to this Ozian epic.

As Ariana Grande is preparing to star in what is one of the most-anticipated movies in 2025 with the release of Wicked: For Good this week, she is preparing for her next role. The “yes, and?” singer recently wrapped filming Focker In-Law, and was just announced as part of the cast for American Horror Story Season 13. Aside from the star-studded lineup for the new season of the hit anthology series, not much else is known about what’s in store. And Grande is trying hard to avoid spoilers.

Grande has been busy on the Wicked: For Good press tour, which came amid the AHS13 announcement. Variety brought up the new season to Grande at the 2025 Governors’ Awards, and she really tried her hardest to say nothing, and I applaud her for her efforts:

At this point, avoiding spoilers is likely second-nature to her since she’s spent a few years trying not to spill too much about the Wicked films, despite the stage show. It does sound like she and the cast know some details about what’s in store, as Grande revealed that creator Ryan Murphy reached out to her with a text about it. Not surprisingly, she couldn’t even share much about that.

This won’t be Ariana Grande’s first time working with Murphy. She briefly appeared in the first season of the Fox horror comedy Scream Queens in 2015 as Chanel #2. Her character was unfortunately killed early on by the season’s serial killer, the Red Devil, but it was pretty memorable. With her reuniting with Murphy after over 10 years, it will be exciting to see what they cook up together, especially since Season 13 of American Horror Story will include some pretty big AHS heavy hitters.

American Horror Story marks Grande’s first television role since guest starring on the Showtime family tragicomedy Kidding in 2020. She may find it hard to avoid spoilers, but it should be a little easier with AHS since the wait probably won’t be nearly as long as Wicked, which officially wrapped filming in early 2024. At the very least, Grande doesn’t seem to know too much right now, which is also making it easy, aside from some key details.

It's unknown when plot details and the title will be revealed for Season 13, including who everyone will be playing. The fact that the little information Grande received about it was enough to get her on board is proof that fans will likely be in for a ride. It should be interesting to see how American Horror Story Season 13 turns out and how the cast continues to avoid spoiling anything, but for now, those with a Hulu subscription can watch all 12 seasons and prepare.

Sydney Sweeney has experienced a considerable amount of publicity as of late, and not all of the buzz has been so positive. This past summer, the 28-year-old actress received backlash for her “good jeans” campaign with American Eagle And, more recently, Sweeney has been catching flak for the box office reception of Christy, her latest film. Now, there are apparently some social media users who are of the opinion that Sweeney was just shaded by Ariana Grande during a conversation with Bowen Yang.

As of late, Ariana Grande has been promoting her own 2025 movie schedule entry, Wicked: For Good and, as part of that, she recently took part in Vanity Fair’s Lie Detector Test segment. The interview saw Grande questioning (and also being grilled by) co-star Bowen Yang. Amid the chat, Grande asked Yang if he thought she was a good kisser, based on their Saturday Night Live sketch smooch. Yang then complimented Grande’s kissing skills, after which she asked how she compared to Sydney Sweeney, saying:

Yang (35) and Grande (32) kissed during the “Charades with Mom” sketch during SNL Season 50, while he smooched Sweeney during the “Bowen’s Straight” sketch from the previous season. Yang explained that his reasoning is due to the fact that his and Sweeney’s kiss was rushed due to her having to quickly move to another segment. The kiss comparison, however, doesn’t seem to be so much what a number of fans are focusing on here, though.

Based on social media reactions shared to X, a number of fans are focused on the fact that the “Eternal Sunshine” singer (who also did a Lorne Michaels only referred to Sydney Sweeney as “this woman.” Someone could theoretically argue that maybe that was a scripted moment, though a number of people are taking it as a slight. Check out some of the reactions:

• 'This woman,' Oh, smartiana, she’s not being clipped saying that lady’s name EVER. - @gagasluts
• Sydney Sweeney is getting all the hate this year 😭 - @KingDami5299
• 'This woman,' [lmao]. I love her. - @lustbry
• Not Ari calling Sydney Sweeney 'this woman.' - @byeprada
• 'This woman.' GAG HER. - @szgyal

Overall, this is all simply up to interpretation at this point, given the nature of Ariana Grande’s brief comment. Regardless of that, it doesn’t seem lost on a lot of people that this comment comes at a time at which Sydney Sweeney has been making headlines for a myriad of reasons. She has had some defenders, however, as the real Christy Martin also stood up for Sweeney after she was criticized by actress Ruby Rose. When sharing those critiques, Rose expressed dissatisfaction with a non-LGBTQ-identifying actress playing Martin.

It’s hard to predict whether Ariana Grande’s mention of Sydney Sweeney will continue to garner attention. Honestly, I’d be lying if I said I ever expected to see Sweeney and Grande’s names in the mix together, despite the both of them being two of the most recognizable stars working today. Time will tell if this ends up being a one-off situation or the first chapter in an ongoing saga.

See Bowen Yang’s kisses with the two actresses can see them on YouTube, or stream the full Saturday Night Live episodes using a Peacock subscription.

Wicked: For Good is one of the most anticipated titles on the 2025 movie calendar, and it finally hits the big screen at the end of this month. The first Wicked film was a record-breaking hit at the box office, and fans are hoping the second part recaptures the magic of it. However, some believe that the movie may have a hard time doing so, as it’s a popular opinion that the second half of the stage musical doesn’t have the same musical prowess as the first.

In a recent viral post on the internet, a fan foreshadowed a mass disappointment from moviegoers after Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good is released. While the first Wicked musical has sonic heavyweights like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" to lift it up, many believe the second half doesn’t capture the same energy, and fans might be disappointed if they are expecting the same level of quality from the songs. @JohnDiLillo said:

Even though this isn’t exactly an “unheard of” opinion, this tweet still received some backlash from musical theater fans who completely disagreed that the second half of Wicked falls short. @Bobbery22418463 pointed out that the second part has a lot of great Wicked songs that are emotionally impactful, saying:

@i_heartmisandry defended Act 2 as well, claiming they actually think it’s better than the first act when it comes to musical numbers.

Fans, like @glindaforg00d, also pointed out that, along with the already great Act 2 songs from the original musical, there are also two new songs in Wicked: For Good that will lift it up even more:

While Act 2 certainly has its fans, a lot of people still agreed with the original user about some of the weak spots. @Alex172005_ also acknowledged how front-loaded the show is, and said it will be interesting to see how this translates on screen and how the movie is received. They said:

Another user also agreed with the poster, noting “For Good” is a bright spot, which the creative team seems to know, considering they leaned into the “For Good” title. @froggy_yeojin wrote:

Mostly, people half agreed. While they acknowledged there were some strong numbers in the second act that often go overlooked, it still can’t quite live up to the first act’s strength. @ScottLeis87 summed up this idea, saying:

No matter where you stand, we will all have to wait and see what happens when Wicked: For Good is officially available to the public. Maybe the storyline, strong performances, and new musical numbers will lift up the Wicked finale, and fans will be just as stupefied as they were leaving the theater after the first part. Or perhaps Wicked will fail to stick the landing and will always be remembered for its magical first act. There’s a lot at stake here, but I’m rooting for it to deliver.

You can see Wicked: For Good when it hits theaters on November 21, 2025. Fans who seek to revisit the first Wicked film ahead of the sequel can do so now with an Amazon Prime subscription.

We are getting closer and closer to the highly anticipated release of Wicked: For Good on the 2025 movie schedule. So, as press coverage heats up, fans are starting to speculate about whether or not two of the stars have cooled down behind the scenes. That's right, folks are wondering where Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater’s relationship stands. Well, an insider has offered an update.

The update comes from an insider who spoke to People, and the picture they paint is of a steady relationship rather than a dramatic split as some folks have been speculating. The outlet cites a source close to the couple who says the two are allegedly busy but aligned, and that they’re in it for more than a moment. The same source added:

That tracks with what we’ve seen recently. Grande has been in rollout mode, balancing music and film, while her partner, a Tony-nominated stage actor, keeps a foot in theater alongside screen projects. The two’s support reportedly looks practical, with both still showing up to set visits, coordinating travel around press windows, and keeping the focus on the work rather than turning an outing into a photo op.

The Wicked connection still seems foundational, as Grande has starred as Glinda in the two-part adaptation, and Slater plays Boq. At the moment, Wicked is the focus of both of them professionally, as For Good will be released in theaters on November 21.

“Real deal” in celebrity terms is usually pressure-tested by logistics, as the two will undoubtedly have overlapping commitments, time spent in different cities, and the public’s appetite for reading meaning into all sorts of stuff. But according to this insider, they’re still going strong.

Context also matters. The relationship was confirmed in July 2023 after both had separated from their spouses. Per the outlet’s latest reporting, the couple has been described as “solid.” That wording is measured, obviously, but it tracks with the way we’ve seen fewer social-media declarations and the occasional photo of the pair over the past year. Grande has publicly praised Slater’s work before, and People cites that past sentiment as unchanged.

As Wicked: For Good lands on November 21, the dynamic could be even more visible. Press days, red carpets, and cast events offer a natural window into how co-stars balance work and real life.

If the source is to be believed, the A-list relationship stands on solid ground. Grande’s music and upcoming film slate and Slater’s theater run could pull them in different directions, but per the reporting, they’re apparently aligned and staying connected. For fans looking for the state of the union, that’s the update. If there is anything beyond that, we will be sure to let you know.

Now, while you wait for Wicked: For Good, revisit the magic of Wicked with a Peacock subscription.

As it comes as no surprise, fan favorite, Bowen Yang returned as one of the featured cast members of Saturday Night Live Season 51. But long before his present return to Studio 8H, Ariana Grande requested that the funnyman sign onto Wicked back in 2023. Now the two are shedding light on how the initial ask went down, and surprisingly, the retelling features Grande’s killer impression of Lorne Michaels.

After the first press tour, the story surfaced of the NBC icon okaying Yang’s schedule on the condition that he continued work at SNL while filming Wicked. It shocked many, and the SNL star even looked tired recalling that time frame in his life. Now, with the release of Wicked: For Good just around the corner, the second press tour’s getting into full swing.

That’s where part two of this story comes in, and the impersonation, during Vanity Fair’s Lie Detector Test interview. After the Nora From Queens alum revealed he was likely not going to be in the John M. Chu blockbuster, the “thank u, next” singer stepped up. Here’s her side of the story with the showrunner, complete with the A+ voice:

I know that everyone in Hollywood more or less can at least attempt a Lorne Michaels take, but hers is honestly so good! Part of me wishes that she did that when hosting, but Grande believing in the Domingo sketch is enough here. Regardless, I’m endlessly impressed by the Eternal Sunshine artist’s ability to perform, and Yang being seemingly shocked with delight heightens the feeling.

Aside from the humorous impression, Ariana Grande asking about her friend’s chances of signing on as Pfannee was very sweet and smart. The Wedding Banquet star fully delivered as one of Glinda’s haughty besties and will continue to be in demand. Yang’s stardom is undeniable and makes sense why the formal conversation went on between the singer and the comedy vet. After the rehashing, Grande said how thankful and appreciative she is of Michaels:

Don’t you just love a BTS look with a happy ending that benefited everyone? I do, and I’m glad to know that all of the stars who had hectic Wicked timetables are through them, though Yang did pull a sequel of sorts after catching a redeye from SNL to the Oscars. Let’s just hope the press tour for the 2025 movie schedule sequel doesn’t elicit too much commuting woes for anyone.

If they do though, here’s hoping another spot-on, surprising impression by Ariana Grande follows soon after! In the meantime, this solid (and Michaels one) she did for Yang to juggle both Wicked and SNL certainly fits the bill.

If you can’t wait for the sequel’s November 21 nationwide release, make sure to catch the trailers for Wicked: For Good or stream Part One with a Peacock subscription.

Wicked fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the upcoming Wicked: For Good movie, and part of the charm of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s tour is the pink and green and black juxtaposition the two have pulled off over the course of two movies. If you watched NBC’s lovely live show Wicked: One Wonderful Night, it’s hard to see how the two could possibly top themselves when it comes to fashion. However, Ariana Grande just did it. I’m calling it now: this is the dress we’ll be talking about for years.

I love a good princess ballgown. When Ariana Grande is not paying tribute to the OG Wizard of Oz, she’s actually been wearing full gowns a lot. Think structural Glinda-inspired Schiaparelli looks and more. The volume of these dresses feels perfect for the movie, but the one she wore this weekend was both more understated than some of the other dresses she’s rocked, while still wearing beautifully with its ombre effect and pretty train.

During the One Wonderful Night special, Grande busted out another pink bubblegum concoction I thought was charming, and nodded at the look we’ll probably most remember from Wicked’s big screen run. Yes, I’m talking about the pink, frothy concoction that took 225 hours to get just right. That dress looks gorgeous on the big screen, and for the small screen event, she recently wore another over-the-top custom design from Robert Wun with butterflies that really popped onscreen.

Yet, it’s this Givenchy ombre gown worn in Paris with its feminine detailing that I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about.

The dress even had Grande’s own mom emotional, as a video of her seeing her mom watching from a balcony went viral shortly after dropping. In it, Joan Grande is seen remarking, “You’re making me cry.” The Wicked cast was in Paris for the latest event, so it’s no surprise they would have gone hard with fashion, and Cynthia Erivo also really went hard with the method dressing trend with a cool, Elphaba-inspired hat.

We have a few weeks before Wicked: For Good finally hits the 2025 movie release schedule on November 21. I fully expect both of the leading ladies to keep pulling out cool and memorable outfits, but we may have peaked when it comes to the celebrity fashion looks from the cast this weekend, and I'm OK with that.

Wicked: For Good is just two weeks away on the 2025 movie calendar, which means we’re in for all sorts of press tour looks from Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and the rest of the cast. But, there’s one major change you’ll notice for Grande. The multi-hypenate recently dyed her hair brown for the first time in about three years, and she just commented on how it will tie into her upcoming red carpet looks.

When Grande and Erivo sat down with Entertainment Tonight to talk about the Wicked sequel, the Glinda actress spoke about how being a brunette changes her looks. In her words:

While last year’s press looks might have blurred the lines between Grande and her Ozian character, this time she can be herself more, mixed with some fun nods to the beloved musical. Now, Ariana Grande has stepped out a few times to promote Wicked: For Good, and we’ve already caught some differences this time around. For example, her first press look was totally unexpected, given that the actress actually wore a black dress, and Glinda would never!

This week, Grande has been all over and wearing some gorgeous fits. Check out this hot pink ball gown that’s giving Glinda, but also Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes… ironic, right?

After Wicked, Grande has a few other things lined up that will also help her shed her Glinda persona. She’s going to be in Focker-In-Law with Ben Stiller, and she’s going on her Eternal Sunshine tour over the summer of 2026 from June to September.

When you think about it, it’s actually rather wild to think that soon Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo won’t be promoting Wicked anymore. The pair were announced as the leads of it four years ago, and they went to work on the movies in the summer of 2022 and concluded production in early 2024. Since then, the Wicked cast have been everywhere promoting the movies’ releases, including a recent stage special for NBC.

As we look forward to more premieres and press tour events for Wicked: For Good, we know that Law Roach is working with Grande on her array of looks. The stylist known for method dressing Zendaya for her press tours said, “There’s a mood board” for all the gowns and such she’ll be wearing, and we can’t wait to see her slay them all. Knowing that Grande and Erivo will perhaps take new approaches to their press tour looks, who knows what they’ll wear!

Wicked: For Good is coming to theaters on Friday, November 21.

Ariana Grande’s name is an unmistakable one today. Since 2008, the former child star still in the biz has continued to climb the pop charts and box office all while navigating public comments. So, how does she feel about the inner workings of managing her pop career with her acting one? Grande opens up about the complexities of her relationship to her professional successes.

In The New York Times’ interview with the wildly successful triple threat, the Wicked actress got real about how she feels about returning to the top-charting side of her talents. Grande explained that something was askew before hitting Jon M. Chu’s Ozian set, where it recovered with the amount of time spent away. Along with it she shared there’s an unexpected edge to accomplishing hopes by saying:

As the majority of us know the 32-year-old will be starring in one of the biggest sequels on the 2025 movie schedule, Wicked: For Good, which is just a few weeks away. In addition to reprising Glinda, she also released her 7th Studio album, Eternal Sunshine. But in case you missed it, she surprised fans with a 41-stop tour of said album that's planned for 2026 — something everyone thought she was done with.

It’s always interesting to hear the perspective of anyone who grew up in the industry. The takes always seem to be insightful in a way that really speaks to the experience kid entertainers have in Hollywood. From the outside, watching Ariana Grande continuing to build her career looked as if she was nothing but content. However, being a young skyrocketing artist surely paved the way to have her dreams molded into something else than she expected.

Her undeniable talent certainly cleared the way for her to stardom in multiple realms, starting with her single “Yours Truly.” Since then, everything about her life, from boyfriends to her body, have been up for debate. And yet, as Grande explained, even gearing up for worldwide recognition couldn’t nurse or help guide all that comes with it. It wasn’t until the past few years could she make peace and re-balance the extra baggage, as she said:

Realizing stuff like this still regularly happens to artists like Grande, and many females in Hollywood, is wild. Thankfully, it sounds like there’s a stronger grasp and usable tools to keep many of the present inevitabilities at bay. I’m glad that she was able to re-root in her wants and has been having a phenomenal reconnection with it all.

Some of her greatest albums have come post stepping away from singing stardom. The first time around was for the televised Hairspray Live! event and the other Wicked. Sweetener and Eternal Sunshine, respectively, came out after she swapped the studio for the stage. What helped pushed the envelope even further, according to the “thank u, next” singer, since parting ways with previous associates.

I just love it all for her. She’s made it known that first and foremost, she’s a theatre kid and always imagined to be more or less a comedy Broadway baby. But, as we know, the Nickelodeon-to-popstar pipeline complicated things. So it’s thrillifying that Ariana Grande was able to have Wicked to realign and move ahead, even if it was a 'tremendous' undertaking 'mentally, physically, emotionally.'

It seems like as Grande forges ahead, the previous complications may just smooth out, or at least be a little easier to navigate. She'll have another go at balancing music and acting since she’ll be in another big sequel on the 2026 movie release calendar, Focker In-Law.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about celebrity fashion over the last several years is how playful fashion has gotten. We’ve seen Sydney Sweeney rock a butt necklace. We’ve seen Jenna Ortega wear giant jewels as a top for the Emmys. And Kim Kardashian, of course, has tried all kinds of outfits that look like they are defying gravity. In Cynthia Erivo’s latest case, however, gravity is a girl’s best friend.

Erivo was seen on the red carpet this week promoting the Wicked: For Good sequel, and her outfit was as epic as this movie will hopefully be. Technically it was a two-piece, not a dress, with a full-bodied skirt and a top that is difficult to describe. The closest I’m getting to it is that she’s wearing a sort of high-fashion version of a dickey, you know, those mock turtlenecks teachers used to wear to jazz up school sweatshirts.?

It’s also difficult to understand how it stays in place, but either the material is just weighted or there has to be some tape. Either way, I really meant it when I made that gravity comment.

The reason I'm guessing tape is a factor is because the shirt is not even attached in seemingly any way from front to back. A side glance at Erivo’s fit shows how it drapes on her body, and it’s a good thing the actress is really lithe, because I’m not sure this is a look a fuller figured celebrity could pull off. (Also sidebar: I’m loving the jewels, too. All around A+.)

The actress later posted about the look, confirming the outfit came from famed designer Jean Paul Gaultier and the accessories were from David Webb Jewels.

Normally, my favorite part of any Wicked premiere is seeing how Ariana Grande juxtaposes her look against Cynthia Erivo’s, but sadly this was not an option in Brazil. The Glinda actress said her flight was canceled over maintenance issues, and that even when Universal looked into booking her a private plane “a permit” was required that made it unfeasible. New Sexiest Man Alive Jonathan Bailey was present.

It was Cynthia that was the stand out that night, and what a stunning look she brought to the table. Honestly, I’m kind of loving she had one night to really make her dark outfit shine without Grande’s pink-hued takes (or that one time she nodded at The Wizard of Oz). I know some fans probably missed the other actress, but this happy accident did lead to a cool red carpet moment, so I’ll take it.

We’ve reached the point on the 2025 movie schedule where it’s time to return to Oz. The release of Wicked: For Good is right around the corner, and in preparation for that, I’m considering just how different this movie will be from last year’s Wicked. That’s because Act II of this musical takes a dark turn, and director Jon M. Chu opened up about why he thinks this part of the story is “the most compelling.”

When we met Elphaba and Glinda at Shiz in Wicked, the world was bright and bubbly. And for the most part, the first movie – which you can stream with a Peacock subscription – maintains that tone. However, in the final moments, as “Defying Gravity” plays, Cynthia Erivo’s witch leaves Ariana Grande’s Glinda and the characters who are going after her behind, leaving us on a cliffhanger that promises to be intense and dark.

Chu addressed what’s to come after that during an interview with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend, and noted that he loves this upcoming act of the musical, saying:

There’s no doubt, Act II of Wicked is far more mature than Act I. Time has passed between the two parts, and when we return, Elphaba and Glinda have grown up and are in very different places. As the director explained, we’re not in school anymore:

While Wicked was about the formation of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship, For Good will address how their relationship is impacted by the evil that is overtaking their world. It will be especially challenging as Glinda works with Madame Morrible and the bad side, if you will, while Elphaba figures out her next move.

In the trailers for Wicked: For Good, you can see all of that on display, and it’s clear that what we’re about to get will be darker, more intense and more emotional than Wicked. All of that really excited Jon M. Chu, too, as he explained:

Well, I can’t wait to see all this play out on screen. I desperately hope the people of Oz are able to overcome their biases and see the issues in their land that are hurting so many of them, especially the animals.

On top of the important lessons For Good holds, it will also continue this compelling story of friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, which I’m dying to see. Oh, and we’ll get the strongest Wizard of Oz connections yet, as we know Dorothy will appear (though we won’t see her face) alongside Colman Domingo’s Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man.

So, like Jon M. Chu, I’ve found a bunch of reasons to be stoked for Wicked: For Good. And his comments about why he thinks it’s the most compelling part certainly help that enthusiasm, too. Now, to see exactly what he’s talking about, you can catch the highly anticipated second act of Wicked in theaters starting November 21.

Jonathan Bailey is People’s Sexiest Man Alive this year, and the ton is rejoicing. Amid his incredible run on the 2025 movie schedule, the actor, who starred in Jurassic World: Rebirth earlier this year and is about to release Wicked: For Good, was given this iconic title. Now, the cast of Wicked and more are reacting to this thrillifying news. However, it’s Netflix’s one-word response about the Bridgerton star that I can't get over.

The Cast Of Wicked And More Reacted To Jonathan Bailey Being The Sexiest Man Alive

Right as the news of Bailey’s title was announced, the Wicked cast and director took to Instagram to celebrate. In the sweetest video, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode and Jon M. Chu all praised the Fiyero actor while wearing T-shirts or sweaters with his sexy photos on them. Take a look:

I got a particularly good laugh out of Goldblum’s comment, as he called Bailey “the sexiest man not only on this planet, but in the solar system, in the universe, in any multiverse.” I 100% agree with him, too, and many others did as well, especially when they saw his People cover:

In the comments of the cover post, many celebs wrote about how thrilled they were for Bailey. This included Erivo and some of his other co-stars, like Matt Bomer, whom he led the show Fellow Travelers with:

• YEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!! Now the world knows what I’ve known all along 😏 I LOVE YOU! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚-Cynthia Erivo
• 👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌❤️❤️❤️ -Matt Bomer
• That’s 👏 our 👏 Fiyero! 👏 -Wicked Movie
• 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 -Blakely Neiman Thornton
• Yes yes YES -Michelle Visage
• Yes. ❤️ -Charithra Chandran

As you can see, lots of Bailey’s co-stars and many other performers and fans of his had brilliant reactions to this news. However, I’d like to emphasize that last comment from Charithra Chandran, who played Edwina Sharma on Bridgerton. That's because we must address how Netflix and the show that helped catapult this fine actor into stardom reacted to the news.

Netflix Shared A One-Word Reaction About The Bridgerton Star Earning This Title

Now, many have been introduced to Jonathan Bailey over the last few years as he’s danced through life on the big screen and rocked the red carpet in his “sluttly little glasses.” However, those of us with a Netflix subscription have known how swoon-worthy he is for a lot longer.

The streamer made that clear too, as it posted this hilarious one-word reaction to news of the Anthony Bridgerton actor’s newest title:

I know I’m not the only Bridgerton fan who has been swooning over Kate and Anthony’s story since 2022. Seriously, Jonathan Bailey playing the viscount introduced so many of us to him, and ever since then, the yearning hasn’t stopped.

So, yeah, as Netflix said, “obviously,” he's the Sexiest Man Alive. And I loved that they used that iconic photo of him getting out of the water in Season 2 to further prove that point.

Along with this title being fun and Netflix’s cheeky response being perfect, it was also a good reminder that Jonathan Bailey is coming back to Bridgerton to help tell Benedict’s story in Season 4.

However, before he does that, he has a new title to claim and a prince to play. Yep, in just a few weeks, the Sexiest Man Alive will return to Oz as his heartthrob of a prince as Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21.

In Wicked, we got to see Glinda and Elphaba's friendship flourish, and in this next movie, we'll see how they change each other "For Good." However, right now, we're amping up for another Wicked press tour, and stories from the first film's press tour are circulating too. This includes a tale from an influencer about how someone spilled a drink on her, and while that is not thrillifying at all, the way Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo came to her rescue was.

Digital content creator Tricia Mpisi spoke on her TikTok about being one of the lucky African influencers to attend the European premiere of Wicked last year. But, she recalled a scary incident that occurred during a group photo when someone dressed in a Wicked Witch costume spilled their champagne on her:

No wonder she screamed when the drink spilled on her! You’d never anticipate an everyday group photo turning into burning alcohol getting in your eyes. I’d be terrified. However, luckily, the stars of Wicked were there to help her.

One memorable quality we’ll see in the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation is the two witches discovering what the true definition of being good is. Well, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande certainly proved their goodness in the next part of Tricia Mpisi’s crazy story, as she recalled:

The influencer continued to talk about how after a chair was pulled for her, Erivo, Ariana Grande, and everyone else rushed to Mpisi’s rescue to wipe the champagne off her face. Despite "struggling to open my eyes," the digital content creator said she felt comfort in hearing the voices of Erivo and Grande. In fact, the former Nickelodeon star even had a wild idea, as the TikToker recalled:

That really was incredibly sweet for Ariana Grande to offer something like that. And the fact that the two Wicked stars never left her side until all of the champagne was wiped off makes it even better. That's heroism at its finest.

Mpisi made sure to express to TikTokers how much that moment meant to her, explaining that in her home country of South Africa, people don’t usually take the time to help those in trouble. So, the fact that the two actresses turned what she described as an embarrassing moment into “a memorable human moment” is very touching.

While we know that Wicked: For Good will show different forms of heroism through Glinda and Elphaba, the good nature of the actresses portraying them rings true in real life. After wiping spilled champagne off the eyes of a TikTok influencer, she’s made sure to convey gratitude to the two actresses helping her feel “warm and fuzzy and cared for” by the end of the night. It’s a reminder that a special kind of magic can exist outside the realm of movies in the most unexpected ways.

If you’re as excited as Tricia Mpisi to watch Wicked: For Good in theaters, you’ll have your chance very soon as the 2025 movie release will hit theaters on November 21st. You can also relive the magic of the movie that started it all with a Peacock subscription.

There’s no doubt that Ariana Grande’s upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of Wicked: For Good is something to be excited about. However, she’s got a 2026 movie release that’s got her meeting the family of Gaylord (Greg) Focker. That’s right, Focker In-Law has just wrapped production, and Grande’s got the sweet BTS photo dump to celebrate.

It’ll be nice to see the former Nickelodeon star go back to her comedy roots in Focker In-Law. Based on the Instagram photos she posted of their filming wrap-up, it looks like she had a great time with the fourth movie’s sensational cast:

There’s so much about Ariana Grande’s photo dump that I’m loving. First off, she’s clearly proud of partaking in her upcoming comedy, not only pointing at her character’s name on her dressing room door, but also by wearing attire that has Focker In-Law on the collar.

But the one photo that’s getting me emotional is the one of her and Ben Stiller hugging. He’s already giving me proud father-in-law vibes in the endearing black-and-white photo. I can’t wait to see the chemistry between the two stars as well as her and Robert De Niro.

There’s a good reason why the Meet the Parents films are some of Ben Stiller’s best movies. They deal with the cringy, yet relatable plot of meeting your in-laws for the first time. The first movie had Stiller’s character, Greg, meeting his girlfriend Pam’s parents, and then the second movie had everyone meet Greg’s parents. The third movie presented a new chapter in the Fockers' lives by having Greg and Pam be a wedded couple with twins.

However, the Focker fun isn’t over just yet. It may have taken 15 years for a fourth movie to be made, but it’s great timing, as Greg’s kids are the same age as him in the first movie. For Focker In-Law, the tables will turn, where Greg’s son (played by Superman’s Skyler Gisondo) will be introducing his family to his fiancée (Grande). The interesting premise has me wondering if Greg will be a better sport than his future father-in-law, Jack, was when they first met or exactly like him.

While we’ve got new faces to look forward to in the comedy franchise, it’ll be great to see the OG actors come back, like Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson and Blythe Danner. Even Barbra Streisand might come back if they pay her “a lot of money” this time. I have a feeling that Focker In-Law is sure to give fans the chaotic, laugh-out-loud family comedy that’s made the franchise as great as it's been.

After Ariana Grande posted the great time she had on the set of Focker In-Law, I can’t wait to see how it all turns out on the big screen. You have the chance to see the long-awaited comedy yourself as it hits theaters on November 25, 2026.

The American Horror Story franchise has been going strong since back in 2011 with the Murder House season that started it all, and that season is still my favorite out of all those that I've seen so far. Now, with creator Ryan Murphy revealing details about the long-awaited Season 13, the cast list has me convinced that I'm going to need to plan on tuning in after the end of the 2025 TV schedule. Not only are there many big names coming back, but one new cast member is going from Wicked to... well, something probably wicked in a different way!

Among those on the cast list (as revealed on Instagram on Halloween 2025) are several of the AHS cast members to appear in the most seasons. Brace yourself for some very familiar names, and check out who you can expect when American Horror Story comes back:

• Sarah Paulson
• Evan Peters
• Kathy Bates
• Jessica Lange
• Emma Roberts
• Angela Bassett
• Billie Lourd
• Gabourey Sidibe
• Leslie Grossman
• Ariana Grande

While there are a lot of names to be excited about, there's a reason why the comment section is largely full of fans freaking out about Jessica Lange. After starring in the first four seasons, Lange hasn't returned to AHS for more than a guest role since 2015. (There are also plenty of people excited about Ariana Grande, with the news breaking less than a month before the arrival of Wicked: For Good in the 2025 movie release schedule.)

There reveals came with "I'll Be Seeing You" by Vera Lynn playing, and I've found Vera Lynn songs to be fun when paired with horror ever since "We'll Meet Again" was effectively used in Stranger Things. There was some bad news to go with the thrills of the cast list, though, as the video confirmed that Season 13 will premiere on Halloween... in 2026. With AHS Season 12 wrapping back in April 2024, that will mean more than two full years without any new episodes. Take a look:

As noted, a lot of the fans commenting on the video are sharing their excitement about Jessica Lange and Ariana Grande, and one person caught the AHS: Coven reference of the iconic "Surprise, bitch, I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me." That line has been heavily memed since Billie Lourd dropped it in her role as Madison Montgomery in Season 3. Interestingly, both Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett are also currently starring on network TV shows, with CBS' Matlock for Bates and ABC's 9-1-1 for Bassett.

At least one person was celebrating that Kim Kardashian won't be part of the cast despite her doing well enough in Season 12 when she channeled sister Kourtney Kardashian. Ryan Murphy was impressed enough by the reality star's turn as a scripted actress that he cast her in All's Fair, which premieres with a stacked cast on Tuesday, November 4 for anybody with a Hulu subscription.

With AHS Season 13 not premiering for another year, fans might be in for a long wait until more details emerge beyond the cast list. That said, those actors are interesting enough that I may use the next year to catch up on the American Horror Stories seasons I've missed over the years. After all, even though AHS is an anthology, it pays to see the actors playing different roles time and again.

Spoilers Ahead for NBC’s Wicked: One Wonderful Night

The highly anticipated return to Oz is nearly upon us! Wicked: For Good is premiering on the upcoming 2025 movie schedule in less than one short month, but if you are anything like me, that is still too long to wait. Fortunately, NBC is releasing a splendiferous evening with the stars, including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in an upcoming television special, Wicked: One Wonderful Night.

I have been a fan of the musical since I was a little kid. I belted out “Defying Gravity”, “No Good Deed,” and “For Good” with the OG ‘evil and witchy’ Elphaba, Idina Menzel, until my CD had scratches and would skip so much that “Dancing Through Life” became ‘Dan Through If’.

I never got to see Idina Menzel or Kristin Chenoweth perform the songs that got me through some very awkward years, but my younger self would be so jealous of me now. I just watched the next generation of musical theatre icons bring some of these songs to life — and the best part is, you get to see it too.

I ‘Couldn’t Be Happier’ To Hear Grande Debut Her Version Of “Thank Goodness”

All I can say is, thank goodness Grande is Glinda. After seeing her float down in a magic bubble and hit one of the highest, most perfectly pitched notes I’ve ever heard in the first film (which, spoiler alert, she does again in this special), it’s still shocking to me that she had to sing four songs just to audition for the role. She’s been worthy of it from day one.

If you were not already convinced that Grande was born to be Glinda the Good, when you hear her sing “Thank Goodness,” any remaining doubts will melt away. It’s not just that she can sing it, of course, she can; it's that she drops right into the character, and you go on the journey with Glinda from the first syllable.

Grande is not the only perfectly cast character, though. There has never been a better match than Jonathan Bailey and Fiyero.

There Is Only One Jonathan Bailey, But It’s Always Good To Have An Understudy - Or 3

Unfortunately, Jonathan Bailey is a very busy man. During Wicked: Part I, he was filming two other projects, and I assume things have not slowed down for this leading man. We are all going to have to wait a little longer for our next Bailey as Fiyero fix, as he does not make an appearance in this special, but don’t worry, because the comedy delivered by Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode is as funny as Bailey is charming.

They may not be pitch perfect, but they sell the hell out of the number and are a highlight of the evening. However, there is a new star on the rise that will steal the show and your hearts all at the same time.

“Popular” is about to become even more popular than before.

A Wicked special is nothing without “Popular”. From the first time I heard Grande sing it in the original trailer, I was in. However, this rendition of the song has a whole new twist. I do not want to give too much away on this particular point, but let’s just say that Grande sings this to someone other than Erivo, and she definitely made them popular.

This is only a taste of the magic packed into this two-hour event. I haven’t even mentioned Erivo’s flying riff—yes, that one—or the new take on the classic ‘hair toss’. Plus, they’re giving us a sneak peek at the brand-new songs, which are so top secret they didn’t even let us hear them that night.

All I can say is that after seeing the taping of this special, I’ve truly been changed for the better. Don’t miss this wonderful night when it airs Thursday, November 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. But if you do, you can still catch it streaming on Peacock starting November 7. I do believe you will be changed “For Good.”