Days before the theatrical release of Wicked: For Good, lead actress Ariana Grande confirmed she tested positive for COVID-19, forcing her to pull out of final promotional appearances, adding another challenge to the film’s already tumultuous press tour.
November 21, 2025: Singer and actress Ariana Grande has tested positive for COVID-19, sharing the news on her Instagram story just as her highly anticipated film, Wicked: For Good, is set to hit theaters today, November 21.
Grande, who plays Glinda the Good Witch in the two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical, posted a picture from her recent appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon with the simple caption: “Moments before Covid.”
Promotional Setbacks
The diagnosis forces Grande to halt her final round of promotional duties for the sequel, directed by Jon M. Chu. According to reports, she has already pulled out of a taped appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and is set to miss crucial Q&A discussions in the coming days.
This is the latest setback for the film’s press tour, which has been marked by several challenges:
- Co-star’s Illness: Just days before, Grande’s co-star, Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West), also reportedly fell ill and lost her voice, leading both actresses to skip red-carpet interviews at the New York premiere in solidarity.
- Previous Infections: Both Grande and Erivo had previously contracted COVID-19 at separate times during the filming of the first Wicked installment, delaying the shooting of pivotal musical numbers like “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
Wicked: For Good Takes the Stage
Despite the promotional challenges, Wicked: For Good is scheduled to be released today, concluding Universal’s adaptation of the classic book and play.
The sequel picks up the narrative with Elphaba demonized and living in exile, committed to exposing The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Meanwhile, Glinda has ascended to power as the glamorous symbol of goodness, residing in Emerald City.
While Erivo is reportedly on the mend and will appear solo for some remaining interviews, Grande’s sudden unavailability means the film’s marketing push will miss the chemistry of its two leading stars during the crucial opening weekend.