Ariana Grande Misses 'Wicked: For Good' Brazil Premiere After Flight Drama

Glinda herself, Ariana Grande, had to sit out the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good world premiere in São Paulo, Brazil, due to a last-minute flight safety issue. She shared her heartbreak with fans, and her co-star Cynthia Erivo sent love on her behalf.

TL;DR

• Ariana Grande was unable to attend the Wicked: For Good world premiere in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 4, 2025.
• Her flight was grounded due to a safety issue, and all attempts to find an alternative flight failed.
• Co-star Cynthia Erivo shared Grande's emotional message to fans, while Grande later urged fans not to wish danger on her.

The Yellow Brick Road Gets a Pothole: Ariana's Brazil Premiere Heartbreak

Fans in São Paulo, Brazil, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their beloved Glinda, Ariana Grande, for the world premiere of Wicked: For Good on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans, and Ariana was forced to miss the star-studded event due to an unexpected and frustrating flight mishap. It was a tough blow for everyone, especially for Grande, who expressed her devastation on social media.

The journey to the Land of Oz, or at least its Brazilian premiere, was cut short for the pop superstar and actress. Just hours before she was set to jet off, her flight encountered a significant safety issue, grounding the plane. Despite her team and Universal Pictures working tirelessly to find an alternative, every option – from commercial flights to private jets – proved impossible. Permits for private travel and a lack of available flights meant she simply couldn't make it in time. This was especially heartbreaking as it would have marked her first in-person appearance in Brazil in several years, a moment she and her fans had clearly been looking forward to.

A Glinda-Sized Message from Afar

In a heartfelt Instagram story message, Ariana, 32, shared her profound disappointment with her Brazilian fans. "Brazil, I can't believe this is happening and I am beyond devastated to be sending this message," she wrote, clearly emotional about the situation. She detailed the maintenance issue that grounded her flight and explained the sheer impossibility of finding another way to get there on such short notice. "My team and Universal have tried every single thing possible to fix this," she emphasized, making it clear this wasn't for lack of trying.

While Ariana couldn't be there in person, her spirit certainly was. Her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, made sure to convey Grande's message directly to the fans gathered at the "Wicked: For Good" world premiere in São Paulo. Speaking to Telemundo's Irasema Torres, Cynthia said, "We both love you very, very much." She added, "I know she's devastated that she can't be here, but she's sending her love and she wants everyone here to love the film just as much as she does." It was a sweet moment that truly highlighted the strong bond between the cast members.

Ariana Grande's Heartfelt Apology

"I am so heartbroken that I'm unable to be there with you all. We sincerely tried everything we could and I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Please shower my incredible castmates with all of the love that I wish I could be showering you with and have the most beautiful celebration."

— Ariana Grande, via Instagram Stories

Addressing the Critics and Finding an Unlikely Ally

The disappointment from some corners of the internet unfortunately led to some negative reactions, prompting Ariana to post a follow-up, since-deleted, message on Instagram. In it, she urged fans to be kinder, emphasizing the unforeseen nature of the flight issue and her own profound disappointment. "Please don't wish danger on us. We did everything we could and I promise you no one is more upset than I am," she wrote. She clarified that her schedule, like her co-stars', was packed, having just wrapped another film, Focker-In-Law, on October 31 and working through November 1 and 2.

Adding a layer of confirmation to Ariana's story, content creator Connor Gowland, known for his fitness and lifestyle videos, came forward. He revealed in a TikTok video that he was actually sitting next to Ariana on the ill-fated flight from New York to São Paulo. Gowland, who had been posting about the delays on his own Instagram Stories even before Grande's announcement, corroborated her account entirely. He spoke about receiving the same texts regarding the flight delays and the eventual rescheduling. He even shared a lighthearted anecdote about promising Ariana a friendship bracelet, solidifying the authenticity of their shared, unfortunate travel experience. This influencer's testimony helped validate Grande's honesty amid the online chatter.

The Magical World of Oz: A Look at the Cast and the Films

Wicked: For Good is the highly anticipated second part of Universal Pictures' film adaptation of the beloved 2003 Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. The first film, simply titled Wicked, was released in 2024 and was a huge success, garnering 10 Oscar nominations and winning two for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. These films delve into the untold origin story of the witches of Oz, specifically focusing on the complex friendship between Glinda the Good and Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.

The star-studded cast bringing this enchanting world to life includes:

• Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch (originally played by Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway)
• Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the green-skinned protagonist (originally played by Idina Menzel)
• Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero
• Ethan Slater as Boq
• Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
• Marissa Bode as Elphaba's sister Nessarose
• Bowen Yang as Pfannee
• Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard

Director Jon M. Chu has helmed both parts of this epic musical fantasy, promising a vibrant and faithful adaptation for fans old and new. Cynthia Erivo also reacted to co-star Jonathan Bailey's new title as People's Sexiest Man Alive during the São Paulo premiere, adding a fun moment to the event despite Ariana's absence.

The Press Tour Continues: Where to Catch the 'Wicked' Magic Next

While the São Paulo premiere marked the first major international rollout for Wicked: For Good, there are plenty more opportunities for fans around the globe to celebrate the film and potentially see the cast. The film is set to officially hit theaters on November 21, 2025. Before that, the press tour will continue its journey across continents:

• Paris: November 7, 2025
• London: November 10, 2025
• Singapore: November 13, 2025
• New York City: November 17, 2025

For those eager to get an early dose of Ozian magic, NBC is also airing a special titled "Wicked: One Wonderful Night" on November 6, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET. This two-hour special will feature songs from the first movie performed by the incredible all-star cast, and it will be available to stream the following day on Peacock. It's a perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of Wicked while awaiting the full release of For Good.

Ariana Grande's long-standing dream to play Glinda has been a well-known fact among her fans. On the "Fresh Air" podcast in February, she shared, "I can't think of a time when I wanted something the way I wanted to play this role." Her deep connection to the material and the character, along with her "unbreakable friendship" with Cynthia Erivo, which began the day they were cast, underscores the dedication and passion poured into these films. Cynthia herself noted that they aimed to "build something real and to know that we could have a safe space in each other for this journey because it was going to be tremendous." Their bond is clearly evident both on and off-screen, and it’s a big part of why fans are so invested in this adaptation.

Despite the initial setback in Brazil, the excitement for Wicked: For Good remains sky-high. The cast, led by director Jon M. Chu, has poured years of hard work into bringing this story to life. From the enchanting performances to the stunning visuals that earned the first film Oscar recognition, audiences can expect a truly spectacular cinematic experience. So mark your calendars for November 21, 2025, and get ready to fly high with Elphaba and Glinda!

FAQ: Your 'Wicked: For Good' Questions Answered! When does Wicked: For Good officially release? Wicked: For Good is set to hit theaters on Friday, November 21, 2025. Who plays Glinda and Elphaba in the Wicked films? Ariana Grande stars as Glinda the Good Witch, and Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba. What happened at the Brazil premiere? Ariana Grande was unable to attend the São Paulo premiere due to a last-minute flight safety issue that grounded her plane. Her co-star Cynthia Erivo conveyed her message to fans. Will there be other premiere events? Yes! Upcoming premieres include Paris (Nov 7), London (Nov 10), Singapore (Nov 13), and New York City (Nov 17). Sources

• Variety
• Deadline
• The Hollywood Reporter
• MassLive
• Us Weekly
• Just Jared
• TODAY