Ariana Grande‘s positive COVID test has added an unexpected twist to the “Wicked: For Good” press tour. With the highly anticipated film’s promotional circuit wrapping up, Grande shared the news on social media, impacting her scheduled appearances. The development follows a series of events during the tour, highlighting the challenges faced by the cast and crew.
A Sudden Disruption in Plans
Ariana Grande revealed her COVID diagnosis through an Instagram story, where she posted a photo from her recent appearance on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.” The image captioned “moments before Covid” caught fans by surprise. This announcement comes on the heels of Grande’s absence from the New York premiere of “For Good,” where she chose to support co-star Cynthia Erivo, who was battling voice loss.
The positive COVID test has led to Grande canceling her appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” While Grande steps back from her commitments, Erivo will continue solo for the segment, maintaining promotional momentum. Grande will also be missing key Q&A sessions about “Wicked: For Good” in the coming days.
COVID Challenges on Set
The production of the first “Wicked” movie saw both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo contracting COVID at separate times. Erivo tested positive before filming the iconic “Defying Gravity” scene, while Grande’s diagnosis came before shooting “Popular.” These incidents underscore the ongoing health challenges facing film productions in the current landscape.
Press Tour Hiccups and Anticipated Success
The “Wicked: For Good” press tour has faced a yve-style.com of disruptions since its start. Grande missed the initial premiere in Brazil and faced a dramatic encounter in Singapore when a fan jumped the red carpet barricades. Erivo’s quick action to protect her co-star was noted as a highlight of the tour.
Despite these challenges, “Wicked: For Good” is poised for significant success. Variety’s Rebecca Rubin reports projections of $150 million to $180 million earnings from 4,000 North American theaters during its opening weekend. This could make it one of the year’s biggest openings, surpassing other major releases.
At the New York premiere, Ariana Grande appeared upbeat, sharing, “We are so grateful. We are great. Cynthia’s great, too,” while Erivo displayed her support with a thumbs up.
As “Wicked: For Good” hits theaters tomorrow, anticipation remains high, despite the hurdles faced along the way. Fans eagerly await the film’s debut, hopeful for its success beyond the stage adaptation records.
