Ariana Grande’s Sudden COVID Twist Shakes ‘Wicked’ Tour

Ariana GrandeThe press tour for “Wicked: For Good” took a surprising and unfortunate turn.

After weeks of global premieres, appearances and fan events, the singer shared that she had tested positive for coronavirus, news that immediately halted her schedule.

Her announcement came as promotional efforts were nearing an end, leaving fans and event organizers scrambling to adapt.

As the press tour for “Wicked: For Good” comes to a close, Grande took to Instagram to reveal her unexpected diagnosis.

Sharing a snap from her appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” she captioned the photo with a simple but disturbing message: “Moments before Covid.”

The timing was especially striking, given that just days earlier, Grande had skipped interviews at the New York premiere in solidarity with co-star Cynthia Erivo, who had been feeling unwell and had lost her voice.

That moment now seems eerily connected, as both women once again find themselves battling the same virus, but this time in separate moments in the press cycle.

Her positive test immediately prompted scheduling changes. Grande pulled out of a planned taped appearance with Erivo on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” leaving Erivo to make a solo appearance.

She will also be absent from the upcoming “Wicked: For Good” Q&A events, creating a noticeable void as the film counts down to its release.

The coronavirus has become an occasional topic for the stars of “Wicked.”

Both Erivo and Grande previously tested positive while filming the first film, Erivo shortly before filming “Defying Gravity,” and Grande immediately before filming “Popular.”

This latest bump brings the end to an already eventful tour.

Grande was unable to attend the premiere in Brazil. Then, during the Singapore festivities, chaos erupted when a man jumped over red carpet barriers and lunged at Grande before being stopped by Erivo, who pushed him away from her co-star.

Despite the turmoil, “Wicked: For Good” is poised to be a massive hit.

according to diverseThe film is expected to earn between $150 million and $180 million from 4,000 North American theaters in its opening weekend, and will likely be its debut this year.

During their conversation, which later appeared on YouTube, Grande talked about her upcoming “Eternal Sunshine” tour and hinted that it might mark a turning point in her musical journey.

She carefully explained her feelings, saying, “I don’t want to say any specific things. I know I’m very excited to do this little tour, but I think it may not happen again for a long, long, long, long time.”

The singer described the 2026 race as a “final hello”, signaling a shift in priorities as she looks ahead to the next decade of her life. Although many know her as a pop star, Grande has never forgotten her theatrical roots. She started on Broadway before finding mainstream fame in Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat,” which eventually launched her music career. This early passion influences her future choices, and she has hinted at returning to what fuels her most creatively.

As she shared on the podcast, “So I think the thing that would be best for my soul and also my art and what I give myself, is if I chase things that feel very relevant in the moment.”

The announcement was a bittersweet moment for Grande’s fans, who had hoped her return from a six-year music hiatus would mark the beginning of a new era, not another hiatus.

The multi-hyphenate star explained that she has reached a point where she wants to reconnect with the part of herself that loves acting.

Having spent years in the global spotlight as a pop star, she’s expressed enthusiasm for smaller, more intimate acting roles that speak to her creatively, even if they’re not headline-grabbing projects.

Sharing her excitement about her latest work, she said, “Even if it is ordinary, it has to be something different. I am doing a film now because it is a role that I have read the script and I love it and it is funny and I love the cast and I am very excited.”