Ariana Grande Tests Positive for COVID-19 During ‘Wicked’ Press Tour
A whirlwind promotional schedule for the highly anticipated film Wicked: For Good has hit a snag as Ariana Grande has tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the postponement of some appearances in New York. The Grammy award-winning singer and recent Oscar nominee shared the news on Thursday via an Instagram story, posting a photo from her earlier appearance on The Tonight Show With jimmy Fallon with the caption “moments before Covid.”
Why did this happen? Grande contracted COVID-19, forcing her to postpone scheduled promotional appearances. Who is involved? Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and the production team for Wicked: For Good. What is the impact? Grande missed a scheduled appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show, adding to a series of challenges during the film’s press tour.
The positive test represents the latest challenge for the film’s extensive press campaign,which has already seen the cast navigating logistical hurdles and security concerns. Grande, who stars as Glinda/Galinda in the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, will reportedly miss a scheduled appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
This isn’t the first time COVID-19 has impacted the production of Wicked. Both Grande and Cynthia Erivo previously contracted the virus during filming of the first movie, causing temporary delays. Erivo’s diagnosis came just days before shooting the climactic song “Defying Gravity,” while Grande tested positive prior to filming “Popular.”
The demanding press tour has involved extensive international travel, including a recent stop in Singapore where a fan attempted to approach Grande, prompting a swift intervention from Erivo and security personnel.Johnson Wen, a 26-year-old australian national with a history of disruptive behavior, was subsequently convicted of being a public nuisance and sentenced to nine days in jail.
Earlier in the week, both Grande and Erivo opted to skip red carpet interviews at the New York premiere after Erivo lost her voice, with Grande joining in solidarity.
How did it end? Grande announced her positive test via social media and postponed appearances. The situation is ongoing as she recovers, but the film’s release date remains unchanged.The incident with the disruptive fan in Singapore concluded with Wen’s conviction and sentencing.
Despite these setbacks, expectations remain high for wicked: For Good.Industry analysts predict the film will surpass the box office record for opening weekends of movies based on broadway musicals,previously held by the 2024 adaptation of Wicked which grossed over $112.5 million during the US Thanksgiving weekend. The second installment is currently tracking for an opening weekend between $150 million and $180 million from 4,000 North American theaters, potentially exceeding the openings of A Minecraft Movie ($162 million) and the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake ($146 million).
Wicked: Part One achieved global success, earning $758 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical ever. Both Grande and Erivo received Oscar nominations for their performances as the two central characters in the prequel to L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz
