Ariana Grande responds to backlash for missing Wicked premiere: ‘Do not wish danger on us’

Ariana Grande has pleaded with fans to “not wish danger on us” after she was unable to attend the Wicked: For Good premiere in Brazil on Tuesday (4 November)

The “Positions'” singer stars as Glinda the Good in the follow up to 2024’s Wicked alongside Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh.

On Monday (3 November), Grande posted to her Instagram stories, as seen by E! News, that she was “beyond devastated” to miss the São Paulo premiere. She explained she and her team had been forced to deplane their planned flight due to maintenance issues and the flight’s rescheduled departure time would have meant missing the premiere.

“My team and Universal have tried every single thing possible to fix this,” she continued. “We’ve searched every other flight, overnight, early morning, connecting flights, commercial and also private options and absolutely nothing was available or possible that would get us there in time,” she said.

“Even in attempting a private option, there is a permit necessary in order to fly from here that takes time to attain.” She added she was “so heartbroken” at missing the premiere promising, “we sincerely tried everything we could,” and apologising again.

“Please shower my incredible castmates with all of the love that i wish i could be showering you with and have the most beautiful celebration,” she closed.

Grande followed up this post later, requesting: “Please don’t wish danger on us,” as reported by Variety. She wrote on Instagram: “We did everything we could and I promise you no one is more upset than I am.”

The “Popular” singer also asked fans not “assume that we didn’t try.” Grande then clarified: “There was no other time for me to leave and these plans have been booked for months.”

She continued: “I wrapped another film on the 31st and I worked all day the 1st and the 2nd as well, just the same as Jonny, Cyn and Jon have been working, we all were scheduled to leave the same day. It just so happened that this plane had a safety problem and I have explained why finding another option was impossible.”

Grande closed her post with: “I have been looking forward to this moment for a year, so please know how disappointed i am. Sending lots of love to you all. I hope it’s a beautiful and safe night. I love Brazil, I always have, I always will.”

The São Paulo premiere is the first of several with Wicked: For Good also having premieres in Paris (7 November), London (10 November) and Singapore (13 November).

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