Ariana Grande’s ‘Wicked’ Tour COVID Twist Shakes

Ariana Grande‘s whirlwind “Wicked: For Good” press tour took an abrupt and unfortunate turn.

After weeks of premieres, appearances, and global fan events, the singer shared that she had tested positive for COVID, news that instantly threw a wrench into her schedule.

His announcement comes just as promotional efforts were winding down, leaving fans and event organizers scrambling to adapt.

As the “Wicked: For Good” press tour came to a close, Grande took to Instagram to reveal her unexpected diagnosis.

Sharing a photo from her appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” she captioned the image with the simple but shocking message: “moments before Covid.”

The moment was particularly striking, given that just days earlier, Grande had skipped interviews at the New York premiere in solidarity with co-star Cynthia Erivo, who was feeling unwell and had lost her voice.

This moment now seems strangely connected, as both women find themselves battling the same virus again, although this time at different points in the press cycle.

His positive test immediately forced schedule changes. Grande withdrew from a planned taped appearance with Erivo on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” leaving Erivo to appear solo.

She will also miss upcoming Q&A events for “Wicked: For Good,” creating a noticeable void as the film counts down to release.

COVID has become an accidental theme for the “Wicked” stars.

Erivo and Grande previously tested positive while filming the first film, Erivo shortly before filming “Defying Gravity” and Grande just before filming “Popular.”

This latest bump comes at the end of an already eventful tour.

Grande was unable to attend the first premiere in Brazil. Then, during the Singapore festivities, chaos erupted when a man jumped over the red carpet barricades and rushed towards Grande before being stopped by Erivo, who pushed him away from his co-star.

Despite the turbulence, “Wicked: For Good” is poised for huge success.

According to Varietythe film is expected to gross between $150 million and $180 million from 4,000 North American theaters in its opening weekend, potentially the biggest debut of the year.

During their conversation, which later appeared on YouTube, Grande talked about her upcoming “Eternal Sunshine” tour and hinted that it could mark a turning point in her musical journey.

She explained her feelings cautiously, noting, “I don’t want to say any definitive things. I know I’m very excited about doing this little tour, but I think it might not happen again for a very, very, very, very long time.”

The singer described the 2026 race as “One Last Hurray,” suggesting a shift in priorities as she looks ahead to the next decade of her life. Although many know her as an A-list pop star, Grande has never forgotten her theater roots. She started on Broadway before finding fame in Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat,” which ultimately launched her musical career. This early passion influences her future choices, and she has hinted at a return to what nourishes her most creatively.

As she shared on the podcast, “So I think the thing that’s going to be best for my soul, but also for my art and for what I give myself, is to seek out things that feel really good to me in the moment.”

The announcement marked a bittersweet moment for Grande’s fans, who hoped her return after a six-year musical hiatus marked the start of a new era, not another hiatus.

The multi-hyphenate star explained that she reached a point where she wanted to reconnect with the part of herself that loves acting.

After spending years in the global spotlight as a pop superstar, she has expressed enthusiasm for smaller, more intimate acting roles that speak to her creatively, even if they aren’t headline-grabbing projects.

She shared her joy about her latest work, saying, “Even though it’s mundane, it has to be something different. I’m doing a movie right now because it’s a role I read the script for and I love it and it’s funny and I love the cast and I’m so excited.”