- Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected]
Ariana Grande gushed about her love for her fans just hours before her new film, Wicked, was set to open in theaters across the United States.
The singer and actress, who often becomes tearful in interviews promoting the movie with co-star Cynthia Erivo, issued an emotional tribute on her Instagram Stories early Friday morning.
'My sweet, sweet fans,' began the 31-year-old. 'I'm feeling incredibly emotional today (who's surprised) and I wanted to just thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
The hitmaker, who has been working professionally since she was 13 recalled, 'Often when we meet in person, you tell me that you've grown up with me or about the impact my work has had on your life,' adding, 'but I feel like I don't really get the chance to tell you enough about the impact you've had on mine.'
The artist revealed she was writing the missive on 'the morning of the Wicked release.'
Part 1 of the adaption of the Broadway music opened in the US and worldwide across Europe and Asia with more debuts scheduled next week.
Ariana Grande, 31, posted some new behind-the-scenes photos from Wicked: Part 1 on Friday, along with a gushing note to her friends ahead of the film's debut in US theaters
The hitmaker thanked her fans 'for the many ways in which you've held me over the years.'
'You have held my hand and helped mend my heart time and time again over the past ten years and I would never be here without you. I mean that in every way you can interpret it,' she said.
Grande thanked her supporters for standing by her while she immersed herself into the film. 'I know I disappeared into this project for a long, long time (I believe you all called it "the drought") and I know that was hard for you all.' she said.
Production on the musical was shut down for months due to the concurrent actors and writers strikes that began in May 2023 when the writers walked out, and ended in November 2023, when the actors agreed to return to work.
At least one of the film sets was taken down during the time production was called to a halt and had to be rebuilt before the final estimated 10 days of filming resumed in December of that year.
While working on the Wicked, Grande's marriage to real estate developer Dalton Gomez ended, and she met and fell in love with fellow castmate Ethan Slater, 32.
The new coupling caused quite a scandal, because Slater, like Grande, was married at the time, and had a young child with his then wife.
The Billboard Music Award winner's fans stood by her during the bad publicity, and she reached out to them, thanking them for 'your fierce protection, your passion and your ability to see me and love me as I evolve alongside you.'
The Grammy winner thanked her fans for standing by her as she immersed herself into the project
During the filming process, Grande went through personal changes which received a lot of publicity. Her marriage ended and she began a relationship with castmate Ethan Slater, 32, who was also married with a child
The hitmaker, who has 376 million followers on Instagram told them, 'I will never take your support, love or the irrevocable connection that we share for granted. From the days of doing hours long meets n greets in the garage, when it was just us, til I am an old lady, Peaches, I will love you the same way.'
She closed the epistle writing, 'Thank you for growing with me. It's one of the greatest joys and gifts of my life. I love you. See you in the theater.'
Grande also shared some new set photos and behind-the-scenes stills and video from the months long production in England.
One sweet snap shows Grande and Erivo, 37, wrapped in an affectionate embrace while they were shooting scenes from Glinda and Elphaba's days at Shiz University.
Erivo is dressed in the future witch's usual black ensemble, but her hair is styled in long braids.
Grande is wearing a pink and lavender jacket in what appears to be a the wooded area around the school.
The new snap show the affection shared between Grande and co-star Cynthia Erivo, 37, who stars as Elphaba. Here the two are seen in costume from Glinda's and Elphaba's days at Shiz University
Erivo is seen resting her head on Grande's shoulder. Quoting the lyrics from the song For Good, Grande wrote 'like a handprint on my heart,' and adding 'happy Wicked day to all...' Another shows the two just hanging out in costume
A video of the two shows them laughing while rehearsing a scene from their shared dorm room.
Another picture, shows the affection the two stars had for each other. Erivo is seen resting her head on Grande's shoulder as they watch another scene being shot.
Quoting the lyrics from the song For Good, Grande wrote 'like a handprint on my heart,' and adding 'happy Wicked day to all...'
Another shows the two just hanging out in costume as a member of the hair and makeup team brushes Grande's long, blonde locks.
The built up a strong friendship while working together. 'She's just one of the sweetest, kindest people I've ever met,' Erivo told the Today show in Paris during the Summer Olympics.
Romantic lead Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, looked dashing in his Shiz U uniform as he and Glinda cuddled up during a study session in the library
Marissa Bode starred as Elphaba's sister Nessa. A fun pic shows the silver shoes worn by Nessa, who was wheelchair bound, along with Erivo's black shoe and Grande's pink ballet flat on a bright pink carpet with three brightly colored tarot cards
'We've had such a wonderful time doing this together and we've had such an experience learning about each other, learning about what we need and supporting one another. She's stuck with me,' the Tony winner said.
Romantic lead Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, looked dashing in his Shiz U uniform as he and Glinda cuddled up during a study session in the library.
One fun pic shows the silver shoes worn by Marissa Bode, who plays Elphaba's sister Nessa, wo was wheelchair bound, along with Erivo's black shoe and Grande's pink ballet flat on a bright pink carpet with three brightly colored tarot cards.
A behind-the-scenes video shows the star and another cast member rehearsing dance moves while she lip syncs the words to Loathing.
A sweet snap shows a costumed Glinda wearing funky pink sunglasses in a selfie with director Jon Chu (L) and other crew members. Chu had praise for Grande's performance telling The Hollywood Reporter 'I’m excited for people to see her blow all their expectations away'
Grande shared another snip with director Jon Chu, 45, who was not immediately convinced the singer and actress, who began her career on Broadway, could leave her own personality behind and become the complicated Glinda.
'She earned this thing like no other, he told The Hollywood Reporter.
'At every stop, she had to pass some barrier that was in my head about what she was capable of, and I’m excited for people to see her blow all their expectations away.'
Wicked: Part 1 has received a 90-percent approval rating from the critics at Rotten Tomatoes with 98-percent of audience members giving it a thumb's up.
