Ariana Grande has confirmed she’s tested positive for Covid after a chaotic run of international events promoting Wicked: For Good.
The 32-year-old shared the update on Instagram, explaining that she’d been feeling unwell following weeks of travel, interviews and red carpet appearances.
The news comes after Grande skipped interviews at the New York premiere, reportedly out of solidarity with co-star Cynthia Erivo, who had lost her voice.
Things have been anything but smooth on the press tour. Grande also missed the Brazil premiere, and then things got scary in Singapore.
During the event, a man jumped the barricade on the red carpet and rushed toward her.
Before security could react, Cynthia Erivo quickly pushed him back. Guards tackled him, but Grande was struck in the commotion.
The intruder was identified as online prankster Johnson Wen, known as ‘Pyjama Man’. He was jailed for nine days.
He later posted a selfie pointing at a Grande poster, writing: “I finally met Ariana Grande tonight.”
Days later, Erivo reflected on the ordeal at a Screen Actors Guild event in Los Angeles.
“I mean, f***, even this last week,” she said.
“Let’s be honest, for f***’s sakes, we’ve had to really deal with some stuff, and this movie has allowed us to really grow as people, as friends, as sisters, as artists, as actresses.”
Ariana Gets Emotional About Body Comments
Earlier this month, Grande went viral after breaking down during an interview on Oui Oui Baguette.
She was discussing beauty standards, online hate, and the pressure on women to look perfect.
She said: “I’ve been kind of doing this in front of the public and kind of been a specimen in a petri dish really since I was 16 or 17, so I have heard it all.”
“I’ve heard every version of it – of what’s wrong with me. And then you fix it, and then it’s wrong for different reasons.”
She compared it to everyday situations.
“Even if you go to Thanksgiving dinner, and someone’s granny says, ‘Oh my God, you look skinnier! What happened?’ or ‘You look heavier! What happened?’”
Grande called it a bad habit.
“There is a comfortability that we shouldn’t have at all – commenting on others’ looks, appearance, what they think is going on behind the scenes or health or how they present themselves.”
Now, she says she protects her peace.
“It’s not welcome. I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on… and it’s not invited, so I don’t leave space for it anymore.”
Her advice? Protect yourself.
“If you gotta block people, I don’t care if you have to delete the app entirely – you keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s***.”
She also reminded people in a past TikTok: “The body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body.”
Ariana Forced to Cancel Multiple Appearances
Grande’s Covid diagnosis has changed plans yet again.
She has pulled out of upcoming Wicked promo activities, including a pre-taped appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Erivo attended without her.
Grande will also miss several Q&A events tied to the film’s release.
Fans are now hoping she recovers in time for the rest of the press tour.
Wicked: For Good is set to hit cinemas in late November.
