Ariana Grande brought a touch of magic to New York City on Tuesday evening, leaving The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon while still firmly in character as the beloved Glinda from the upcoming Wicked films, her iconic pink wand in hand.
A Magical Performance and a Safety-Conscious Host
The 32-year-old actress and singer lit up the latest episode of the popular chat show, where she not only performed a charming duet with host Jimmy Fallon but also demonstrated the impressive wand-twirling skills she honed for her role. In a playful moment that had the audience laughing, Ariana joked that she might accidentally take the host's eye out with her prop. This prompted a hilariously cautious Fallon to take refuge behind his desk for safety while she spun the wand with remarkable dexterity, proving her abilities remain sharp years after filming the two-part cinematic adaptation.
Her fashion choice for the evening was a stunning black velvet gown, its skirt adorned with a cascade of glitzy green leaves. This elegant detail was widely interpreted as a subtle nod to her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, who plays the green-skinned Elphaba in the musical. Completing her glamorous look, the 'The Boy Is Mine' singer draped a sheer scarf over her shoulders and styled her hair in a sleek bun.
SNL Hosting and the End of an Era
During her appearance, the conversation turned to her highly anticipated return to Saturday Night Live (SNL), which she is scheduled to host later this month. While Ariana is a seasoned veteran of the show, having appeared several times before, fans of one particular sketch received some surprising news. She famously impressed viewers with her 'Domingo' skit, which portrayed a bride desperate to run off with a fling from her honeymoon.
Although the sketch has been revived a couple of times, Ariana made a definitive declaration to Jimmy Fallon, stating that 'Domingo is dead' and will not be making a comeback during her upcoming hosting stint.
Promoting Wicked and Addressing Fan Safety
A primary reason for her visit was to promote the much-awaited Wicked: For Good sequel, which is set to hit cinemas on November 21. When Fallon asked if she misses her castmates amidst their busy press tour, Ariana quipped that they haven't had the chance, admitting they've spent so much time together they've become somewhat 'co-dependent'.
This light-hearted interview came shortly after a distressing incident at the Singapore premiere of the Wicked sequel, where a fan frantically rushed at her. The event reportedly triggered her PTSD, a condition she has been open about. Fans quickly expressed their concern on social media, with one commenting on the 'overstimulating' nature of such encounters, especially for individuals with anxiety and PTSD.
Ariana has previously spoken candidly about her mental health, linking its challenges to traumatic periods in her life, including the aftermath of the 2017 Manchester bombing and the death of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller. She has described music as a crucial part of her 'remedy' during those dark times.
In a related development, the individual who rushed her in Singapore, 26-year-old Australian online prankster Johnson Wen, was sentenced to nine days in jail. According to The Straits Times, the judge labelled Wen a 'serial intruder' who planned the act for social media clout, with no regard for the safety of others.
