Ariana Grande, the singer and actress who rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, has tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes while she’s in the middle of promoting her new movie, Wicked: For Good, which hit theatres on November 21, 2025. Fans were worried after reports surfaced that she wasn’t feeling well and had lost her voice.
Ariana plays Glinda (or Galinda) in the movie, alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The first Wicked film, released in 2024, was well-received, and now the main cast, including Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater, return for the second installment, with new actors joining the team. Ariana confirmed her diagnosis on Instagram, posting a black-and-white photo from her appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon with the caption “Moments before Covid.”
Because of her positive test, Ariana has had to skip many Q&A sessions and promotional events, and some of her taped appearances, like on the Kelly Clarkson Show, may not air. This is not her first time facing COVID—she and Cynthia both tested positive during the filming of the first Wicked movie, though at separate times.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: For Good is the second film in the franchise based on the Broadway musical, itself inspired by the Wizard of Oz story. Ariana and Cynthia have received widespread praise for their portrayals of Glinda and Elphaba. Fans and the team alike are hoping for Ariana’s speedy recovery so she can return to promoting the movie.
