Ariana Grande has revealed that she has tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes just as the Wicked: For Good press tour comes to its close.
The 32-year-old singer-actress shared the update through
Instagram Stories on Thursday, November 20, posting a photo from her November 18 appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. Along with the picture, she wrote, “moments before Covid.” The announcement immediately sparked concern among fans, especially as Grande has been actively travelling, appearing for interviews and attending premieres for the promotions of her much-anticipated Wicked sequel.
Ariana Grande Pulls Out Of Events
Shortly after her post, Variety reported that Grande pulled out of her scheduled appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. She will also miss several upcoming Q&A panels for the film’s release. Her co-star Cynthia Erivo will continue representing the movie at select press stops but Grande’s sudden absence marks a significant disruption in the promotional endeavours.
Grande’s COVID diagnosis comes just days after both she and Erivo skipped several media interviews at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good on Monday, November 17. Ahead of the event, Universal Pictures confirmed that Erivo lost her voice and was “not feeling well.”
Though the leading pair posed for red-carpet photos and even briefly spoke during a livestream, Grande admitted she was “not letting (Erivo) speak,” protecting her co-star’s voice. Erivo, however, managed just a few words with hoarse voice during the appearance.
Ariana Grande’s Impact On Wicked: For Good Press Tour
Grande’s latest health update adds to a press tour that has been riddled with complications. On November 4, Grande was unable to attend the São Paulo premiere due to a “safety issue” involving her plane. Then, at the Singapore premiere on November 13, a man rushed toward Grande on the red carpet and grabbed her, leaving everyone shocked.
The individual, identified as 26-year-old Australian Johnson Wen, later pleaded guilty to a public nuisance charge and received a nine-day jail sentence, as reported by The New York Times.
Ironically, this isn’t the first time Grande and Erivo have dealt with COVID during the Wicked franchise. During promotions for the first film in 2024, both stars revealed they had contracted the virus days before filming some of the most important scenes of the movie.
Erivo recently appeared on The Tonight Show on November 19, reassuring fans that although her voice was “still missing in action, but it’s there.”
Wicked: For Good released in the theatres on November 21.
