Ariana Grande’s international press tour for Wicked: For Good faced unexpected challenges after the singer and actress confirmed she had fallen ill, resulting in several postponed appearances and a temporary pause on her promotional schedule. The global rollout of the Wicked sequel has been a highly publicized moment for Grande and her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who reprise their roles as Glinda and Elphaba. However, a combination of travel issues, health concerns, and unforeseen interruptions led to major adjustments throughout the tour.
A Busy Global Tour Leading Up to the Illness
The press tour for Wicked: For Good included premiere events across multiple countries, with official appearances in London, Singapore, New York, and other major cities. According to People, promotional stops were repeatedly affected by unexpected circumstances, beginning with a missed premiere in Brazil due to aircraft safety concerns.
Despite these early setbacks, the tour moved forward with scheduled red carpets and interviews. Both Grande and Erivo expressed excitement over the film’s release, which follows the success of the first Wicked movie and brings the beloved story from Oz back to audiences around the world.
An Incident at the Singapore Premiere
During the November 13 Singapore premiere, an incident briefly disrupted the event when a man approached Grande on the red carpet. The New York Times reported that Cynthia Erivo quickly stepped in to protect her co-star as security escorted the individual away. Authorities later confirmed that the man received a short jail sentence following the incident.
Grande continued with the remainder of the event, and both actors expressed appreciation for the strong support from the team overseeing security and guest coordination.
Public Discussion Around Grande’s Appearance
In the months leading up to the film’s release, online discussion regarding Grande’s physical appearance increased. Concerns circulated on social media, prompting the performer to address the topic directly in a December 2024 interview with The Independent. Grande explained that long-term public attention contributed to scrutiny of her appearance, noting that she had been in the spotlight since her teenage years.
She shared that maintaining confidence while working in front of global audiences can be challenging, but she emphasized the importance of a strong support system and a healthy perspective. Grande also expressed appreciation for those who approach discussions about public figures with compassion and understanding.
Press Tour Interruptions and Scaled-Back Appearances
As promotional events continued into November, both Grande and Erivo began to limit their participation in interviews. In a statement shared with People, Universal Pictures confirmed that Erivo had temporarily lost her voice and would not be able to speak during scheduled press segments. Grande accompanied her co-star at red-carpet events but noted that she was protecting Erivo’s voice by limiting conversation on camera.
The disruptions continued when Grande appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 18. Two days later, she shared on Instagram that she had tested positive for COVID-19, writing that the Fallon taping occurred shortly before her diagnosis. The positive test required her to withdraw from several upcoming press commitments, including a scheduled appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Ariana Grande’s Health Update After COVID-19 Diagnosis
Following confirmation of her illness, Grande paused all in-person promotional work to focus on recovery. While the performer has not shared additional details publicly, her brother Frankie Grande provided a brief update to E! News, stating that she was “doing well” and receiving strong support from family. He also noted that she had been working intensely throughout the promotional period and that rest was a priority.
COVID-19 cases continue to impact public events and film promotion schedules across the entertainment industry, and Grande’s situation is consistent with other artists who have had to temporarily step back from travel and press responsibilities due to illness.
Previous COVID-19 Challenges During the First ‘Wicked’ Film
This is not the first time the Wicked cast faced health-related challenges. During promotion for the first Wicked film in 2024, both Grande and Erivo shared that they had contracted COVID-19 shortly before filming key scenes. In an interview with The New York Times, they explained that the timing placed additional pressure on production planning, but they ultimately recovered and continued filming.
These earlier experiences contributed to the care and caution shown during the second film’s press tour, particularly when cast illness affected travel and interviews.
Cynthia Erivo Continues Promotional Appearances
While Grande remains off-camera during her recovery, Erivo has resumed selected press responsibilities for the Wicked: For Good tour. Representatives for the film confirmed that she is now well enough to attend scheduled events on behalf of the cast and production team.
Erivo’s presence ensures continued visibility for the film during this important stage of its international launch, and she has expressed enthusiasm for celebrating the project with global audiences.
Ongoing Interest in ‘Wicked: For Good’
Despite the temporary pause in some promotional activities, Wicked: For Good continues to generate significant attention. The Wicked franchise has long been celebrated for its music, storytelling, and cultural impact, and the second installment maintains high levels of audience interest.
Fans remain supportive as Grande focuses on her health, and social media responses have emphasized encouragement and well-wishes from viewers around the world.
Ariana Grande’s Focus Moving Forward
Ariana Grande’s brief pause from tour events underscores the importance of prioritizing health, especially during demanding international schedules. Her openness about her diagnosis aligns with industry-wide efforts to maintain transparency and safety during public promotional events.
As she continues to recover, her team and co-stars remain committed to supporting her and ensuring a smooth continuation of the Wicked rollout.