BREAKING: Ariana Grande Tests Positive for COVID, Cancels US ‘Wicked: For Good’ Premiere Events After Tumultuous Tour
Emerald City Lockdowns: Ariana Grande’s COVID Diagnosis Halts Final ‘Wicked: For Good’ US Promo Blitz
In a dramatic turn of events, just one day before the highly anticipated release of Wicked: For Good, international superstar Ariana Grande announced on Thursday that she has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the immediate cancellation of her final, crucial promotional commitments in the United States.
The diagnosis caps what has already been an exceptionally challenging and tumultuous global press tour for the second installment of Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The news has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, leaving co-star Cynthia Erivo to complete the last leg of the tour solo and raising questions about the final marketing push for the Universal Pictures blockbuster, which opens in theaters on Friday.
The Diagnosis: ‘Moments Before Covid’
Grande, who stars as Glinda the Good Witch opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba, shared the news via an Instagram Story, captioning a picture from her Tuesday appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with the phrase, “moments before Covid.”
The announcement confirms a difficult end to a month-long, globe-trotting tour that was meant to be a celebratory spectacle. Her positive test result immediately necessitated the cancellation of several key US promotional slots, including a taped appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and multiple fan Q&A sessions scheduled for the week.
For major studio releases like Wicked: For Good, the final 48 hours leading up to a film’s debut are critical for momentum and media buzz. Grande’s absence, while necessary for public health and safety, removes one half of the film’s central, high-profile duo from the spotlight at the most crucial time. Erivo, an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner, is now tasked with shouldering the remaining promotional duties alone, as she did earlier in the week when Grande supported her co-star after Erivo was also briefly ill and lost her voice, causing them both to skip red-carpet interviews at the New York premiere.
A Press Tour Plagued by Tumult and Trolls
Ariana Grande’s press tour for Wicked: For Good has been anything but smooth, lending a dramatic backdrop to her eventual COVID diagnosis. The journey began with a setback at the São Paulo, Brazil premiere, which Grande was unable to attend due to what sources described as a “safety issue” involving her plane.
The tension escalated dramatically at the Singapore premiere. During the red-carpet event, a 26-year-old Australian man, later identified as Johnson Wen, jumped security barricades and ambushed Grande, grabbing the actress.
Viral footage showed the harrowing moment, which was quickly diffused by a protective Cynthia Erivo, who intervened to push the man away and comfort her shaken co-star. The intruder, who is a known social media personality often seeking fame by ambushing celebrities, was subsequently arrested, charged as a public nuisance, and sentenced to nine days in jail, underscoring the serious security risks that can accompany high-profile celebrity events. Erivo later spoke on the incident, stating it was her “first instinct” to ensure her friend was safe, highlighting the deep, sisterly bond the two actresses have forged during the intensive production and promotion cycle for the two-part film.
This string of high-stress events—from mechanical/safety disruptions to a physical security breach and now major illness—has made the Wicked: For Good promotion one of the most dramatically fraught celebrity tours in recent memory. Grande’s positive test, unfortunately, marks the final major challenge in the lead-up to the film’s theatrical release. The entire saga has, however, amplified the resilience and mutual support between Grande and Erivo, turning their off-screen friendship into a compelling narrative for fans.
Pivoting to Pink: The ‘One Last Hurrah’ as a Pop Star
Compounding the intense news cycle surrounding the COVID diagnosis and the Wicked premiere, Grande also recently made headlines with a major announcement regarding her future career trajectory. Earlier in the week, the 32-year-old star hinted that her upcoming 2026 Eternal Sunshine Tour could mark her “one last hurrah” as a full-time pop star.
Speaking on a podcast, Grande expressed her excitement for the small, 10-city, multiple-date tour running from June to September 2026, but also signaled a significant, indefinite hiatus from touring and possibly a pivot away from the pop spotlight she has dominated for over a decade. “I’m very excited to do this small tour, but I think it might not happen again for a long, long, long, long time,” she said, confirming her intention to give the limited tour her all as a potential farewell to that chapter of her career.
This decision is directly tied to her thriving career as an actress. Grande’s role as Glinda in the Wicked films has not only been a major professional undertaking but also a creative passion project. She has been openly discussing the intensity of her new focus, which includes filming projects like Focker In-Law, the fourth installment in the Meet the Fockers franchise, where she is starring alongside industry titans Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. Her commitment to these demanding film projects suggests that the six-year hiatus she is already breaking for the 2026 tour might be extended significantly post-show, as she continues to develop her acting portfolio.
The Show Must Go On: The Fate of ‘Wicked: For Good’
Despite the promotional turbulence and the unfortunate timing of the COVID diagnosis, the show will, of course, go on. Wicked: For Good is scheduled to premiere as planned, and critical reviews have been overwhelmingly positive regarding Grande’s performance. Critics have highlighted the powerful dynamic between Grande and Erivo, with their performances being cited as the emotional core of the finale.
Universal Pictures and the film’s marketing team are now leaning heavily on Erivo and the existing promotional content. The impact of Grande’s absence on opening weekend box office numbers in the US remains to be seen, but the sheer volume of news surrounding the star—both the diagnosis and the ‘last hurrah’ announcement—is likely to keep her name at the forefront of pop culture conversation, potentially driving curious audiences to theaters. The film itself is the centerpiece, a culmination of years of work and a major Hollywood event, which will likely transcend the final-day promotional setbacks.
For her millions of fans, the primary concern is, understandably, Grande’s health. The message is clear: the most important thing is for Glinda the Good Witch to rest, recover, and ensure she is in good health before tackling her next chapter, whether that involves defying gravity or delivering a final, glittering performance on her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When did Ariana Grande test positive for COVID-19?
Ariana Grande announced that she had tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, November 20, 2025, via her Instagram Stories.
Q2: Which promotional events for Wicked: For Good has she canceled?
Grande has had to cancel several US promotional commitments, including a pre-taped appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and multiple fan Q&A sessions scheduled just before the film’s premiere.
Q3: What did Ariana Grande mean by her 2026 tour being a ‘one last hurrah’?
Grande stated that her upcoming 10-city Eternal Sunshine Tour in 2026 could be her “one last hurrah” as a pop star for a very long time, as she plans to focus intensely on her career as an actress, following her major role in the Wicked films and other projects like Focker In-Law.
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