STAR PULLS OUT OF PROMOTIONAL EVENTS AS FILM PREMIERE APPROACHES
Ariana Grande has confirmed she tested positive for COVID-19 while promoting her upcoming film “Wicked: For Good.” The diagnosis forces her to cancel multiple appearances in the final stretch of the movie’s global rollout, adding another setback to a press tour already disrupted by illnesses and security issues.
Pop star Ariana Grande has announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting an abrupt pause to her promotional schedule for the highly anticipated film “Wicked: For Good.” The singer revealed her diagnosis in an Instagram Story, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from her recent Tonight Show appearance with the caption “moments before Covid,” offering fans a candid glimpse into the unexpected disruption.
Grande had been scheduled for several major interviews, performances and press events leading up to the film’s release, including a guest appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and multiple cast Q&As. According to sources close to the production’s publicity team, all remaining public engagements have been pulled until she recovers, with no timeline yet confirmed.
This marks yet another health-related twist surrounding the film’s promotional efforts. Earlier in the tour, co-star Cynthia Erivo also fell ill, forcing cancellations in Europe. Security issues at international premieres have added further complications, creating a turbulent backdrop for one of the year’s biggest Hollywood rollouts.
Despite the disruptions, studio representatives say the film’s release schedule remains unchanged. Grande assured fans she is resting and recovering, expressing disappointment at missing final promotional milestones that she described as “special moments I was looking forward to.”
Industry analysts note that high-profile COVID cases rarely derail entire campaigns in 2025, but they can significantly impact momentum and visibility during critical marketing windows. For a blockbuster franchise like “Wicked,” the star’s absence in the final days could shift both fan expectations and media attention.
As fans send waves of support online, the focus now turns to Grande’s recovery and whether she will be able to participate in premiere-week events. With anticipation for “Wicked: For Good” still surging, the timing of her return may shape the final chapter of the film’s global rollout.
