Ariana Grande Almost Quit Music, But Glinda Changed Everything

Hold onto your wands, Arianators! Ariana Grande just spilled some major tea, revealing that she was this close to leaving music for good before her iconic role as Glinda in the "Wicked" movies swept her back into the studio.

TL;DR

Ariana Grande confessed on the "Shut Up Evan" podcast that she secretly planned to stop making music before "Wicked."
Playing Glinda reignited her creative spark, directly inspiring her 2024 album, "Eternal Sunshine."
She's launching "The Eternal Sunshine Tour" in 2026, but hinted it might be her last for a while.

A Shocking Confession: Ariana Grande Was Ready to Say "Thank U, Next" to Music

Can you even imagine a world without new Ariana Grande bops? Well, it almost happened! In a candid chat on Evan Ross Katz's "Shut Up Evan" podcast, which dropped on Friday, October 24, 2025, the pop superstar revealed her secret: before heading to London to film "Wicked," she had decided she wasn't going to "make an album ever again." Seriously, we're talking full-on music retirement!

Ariana had been on a bit of a musical hiatus since her 2020 album, "Positions," and her "Sweetener World Tour" wrapped up way back in 2019. Fans were definitely sending up red flags, but it turns out she was diving deep into her acting role as Glinda, the beloved Good Witch, in the highly anticipated two-part movie adaptation of the iconic musical. Little did she know, that role would completely flip her perspective.

How Glinda Gave Ariana Grande Her Creative Spark Back

Ariana Grande Almost Quit Music, But Glinda Changed Everything image 3

So, what magical spell did Glinda cast? Ariana explained that embodying the character "totally rearranged everything about my relationship to creating." She said that Glinda's unwavering "self-belief" and the character's journey of growth and self-discovery pushed her to look inward. It was like she was "forced to do that alongside her."

"I felt just a genuine spark of reconnection and inspiration and something. I mean, maybe I missed it. Maybe it’s as simple as I missed it. But I do feel like you have to miss things in order to learn to become better for them."

— Ariana Grande on the "Shut Up Evan" podcast

That genuine spark hit her right in the middle of filming. She realized she "genuinely wanted to do it" and "just felt like I couldn’t not." It was an "inspired moment" that demanded she write an album. And just like that, the "Thank U, Next" hitmaker was back in the studio, giving us the incredible "Eternal Sunshine."

"Eternal Sunshine" and a Tour That Might Be a "Baby Step"

Ariana Grande Almost Quit Music, But Glinda Changed Everything image 4

Speaking of "Eternal Sunshine," Ariana's 2024 album was a massive hit, with the soundtrack for the first "Wicked" film even debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. She followed it up with a deluxe album and a "Brighter Days Ahead" short film earlier this year, making us all live in a little more "eternal sunshine."

And for those wondering about live performances, good news! Ariana officially announced "The Eternal Sunshine Tour" in August 2025, with dates set to kick off in 2026. However, don't get too used to seeing her on the road. She hinted that this tour might be a "baby step" to re-imagine her relationship with touring, and it "probably won't happen for a long time again after this one." She explained that a desire to sing the album live was too strong to ignore, saying, "I’m going to be really sad if I don’t sing this album live. I love this album, and I need to sing it."

What's Next for Ariana? From "Wicked" to "Fockers In-Law"

Ariana Grande Almost Quit Music, But Glinda Changed Everything image 5

Beyond her musical comeback, Ariana's acting career is truly taking off. The first "Wicked" film already broke box office records as the highest-grossing adaptation of a Broadway musical, surpassing "Mamma Mia" (2008). The highly anticipated sequel, "Wicked: For Good," is set to hit theaters on November 21, 2025.

The promotional cycle for "Wicked: For Good" is a bit more low-key this time around, largely because Ariana is busy filming another movie: "Focker In-Law," alongside Skyler Gisondo, Ben Stiller, and Robert De Niro, which is slated for a 2026 release. She mentioned she's "wrapping Fockers on Halloween and flying straight into Brazil" for the "Wicked" press tour just three days later! To make it more fan-focused, a "Wicked" concert special is also planned to premiere on NBC in early November, offering fans a chance to see her and Cynthia Erivo perform songs live.

It's clear that between finding her musical inspiration again through Glinda and a booming film career, Ariana Grande is truly living her best life, and we're just along for the fantastic ride!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Ariana Grande's Latest News

Ariana Grande Almost Quit Music, But Glinda Changed Everything image 6

When does "Wicked: For Good" premiere in theaters?

"Wicked: For Good" is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 21, 2025.

When does "The Eternal Sunshine Tour" begin?

"The Eternal Sunshine Tour" is set to kick off in 2026, with an official announcement made in August 2025. Specific dates were mentioned to begin June 6, 2026, in Oakland, California, concluding in August at London's O2 Arena.

Where can I listen to Ariana Grande's "Shut Up Evan" podcast interview?

The interview where Ariana Grande made these revelations was released on Friday, October 24, 2025, on the "Shut Up Evan" podcast with Evan Ross Katz. You can find it on major podcast platforms or look for clips on YouTube.

Will Ariana Grande be touring frequently after "The Eternal Sunshine Tour"?

Ariana Grande has hinted that "The Eternal Sunshine Tour" might be a "baby step" to re-imagine her relationship with touring, and she doesn't expect to embark on another tour for a "long time again after this one."