The energy in the venue was electric as the audience cheered for Ariana Grande. “Can you feel the love in the building for Ariana Grande?!” the host exclaimed, prompting thunderous applause. “Thank you so much! I miss you!” Ariana replied, her radiant smile lighting up the room.
After a warm exchange, the conversation shifted to their previous connection over Zoom. “You really helped me out back then,” she said, reminiscing about how she couldn’t share her big news about landing a role in “Wicked.”
The host recalled past conversations and expressed joy over Ariana’s achievements. “You should do more acting,” he had encouraged her without knowing her secret. Ariana laughed, “I had to keep it a secret,” playfully describing how she tried to hint at her exciting news by wearing a sparkly pink choker during their video shoot for “Masked Christmas.”
With infectious enthusiasm, Ariana shared her journey leading up to this moment. She had always dreamed of playing Glinda, and now that dream had come true. “It’s surreal to see the response from everyone,” she said, reflecting on the overwhelming support she had received.
The conversation then turned to fond memories, with Ariana recalling her first meeting with Kristin Chenoweth, the original Glinda. She narrated her experience of attending a charity auction when she was just 10 years old. “I kept raising my hand,” she laughed, remembering her mother’s attempts to rein her in. “I was so lucky to meet everyone.”
The host congratulated her on her new album “Eternal Sunshine,” which took fans by surprise with its sudden release. Ariana explained that her trip home during the writers’ strike led her to book studio time with the legendary Max Martin. Their creative collaboration produced five new songs, showcasing her relentless passion for music.
As they discussed her impressive achievements, the host highlighted that Ariana became the first female artist to have 14 songs surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify. “That’s so strange!” Ariana exclaimed, still in disbelief at her success.
With a smile, she revealed her upcoming performance of “The Boy is Mine,” hinting at special appearances in the video. “It features Penn Badgley,” she said, clearly thrilled to work with someone she admires.
As the interview wrapped up, the host presented Ariana with a fun gift—a sweatshirt featuring a baby picture of himself. This lighthearted moment highlighted their long-lasting friendship and mutual admiration. “I’m going to cherish this,” Ariana promised, beaming with joy.
With her album out and an exciting performance on the way, Ariana Grande once again proved why she remains a shining star in the music industry.
