Elvira Stands Firm on Ariana Grande ‘diva’ claims,Calls Apology ‘Thank You,Not Really’
A horror icon is refusing to back down from accusations of rude behavior leveled against pop star Ariana Grande. Elvira, whose real name is Cassandra Peterson, has reaffirmed her criticism of Grande nearly a year after publicly alleging the “Wicked” star snubbed her during a past encounter.
“I told a story that really happened. She did it.I wasn’t making it up. It was very offensive,” Peterson stated. “I had all the celebrities who I had ever come to my show – and there was a ton – were always gracious and kind, and, um, she was not. I’m sorry to say that.”
Peterson lamented the disappointment of the experience, adding, “ItS sad. But, oh well.” She first publicly shared her story in October 2024, adding to existing rumors surrounding Grande’s alleged “diva” behavior.
During a Q&A session at Knott’s Scary Farm, Peterson recounted the incident, recalling that Grande arrived with a large entourage. “She came [to my show] and she brought 20 guests. So, she wanted 21 tickets. We’re like,’OK,'” peterson explained. “She gets backstage, and she asks if I could take pictures with all of her friends and relatives she brought.”
peterson obliged, taking photos and signing autographs for each guest. Though, when Peterson requested a photo with grande herself, the singer reportedly declined. “Than I say to her, ‘Could we take a photo together,’ and she goes, ‘no, I don’t really do that,'” Peterson recalled. “And then she left before my show started. All her relatives stayed.”
following the initial reports, Peterson shared a screenshot of an article detailing the conflict on Instagram.Grande responded with a comment expressing remorse, stating she didn’t remember the encounter due to an anxiety attack approximately seven years prior.
“I’m so disheartened to see this,” Grande wrote at the time. “i actually don’t even remember getting the chance to meet you because i had an anxiety attack and to my memory, left before the rest of my family… but if i’m misremembering this moment, i sincerely apologize for offending you so.” She also thanked Peterson for being kind to her mother.
However, Peterson was unimpressed with the apology, specifically pointing to Grande’s comment about her mother’s potential change of heart. “What’s the word? You know, where you do something, but you really have other thoughts in mind? Like, ‘Thank you, not really, thank you,'” Peterson said.
The “Yours Cruelly, Elvira” star confirmed she and Grande have not spoken since the apology. “after that response from her, no, I just let the whole thing drop,” she stated.
Peterson expressed hope that Grande will mature and learn from the experience. “I think when you’re young, and you’re in show business – well, if you last in show business for any amount of time and are still famous – you do learn a lot of lessons along the way, and you get a little more humble,” she said. “So, hopefully, that will happen with her.”
Representatives for grande and Peterson have been contacted for comment. Grande has previously addressed accusations of “diva” behavior, stating in a 2020 interview on Apple Music’s “Zane Lowe Show” that defending herself against negative narratives frequently enough led to her being labeled in this very way. She also pointed out the double standard women in the entertainment industry face. “it makes you want to quite down a little bit. But I’m trying to also say,’F— that.’ I’m tired of seeing women silenced by it,” Grande said at the time.
