Ariana Grande Praises Her Wicked Journey but Calls One Promotional Meal “Disturbing” — and she’s doing it all while juggling holiday prep, late-night interviews, and another major return to Saturday Night Live.
With Christmas just around the corner, Grande admits that gift-giving isn’t exactly picture-perfect this year. Between nonstop promotion for Wicked: For Good and her fifth hosting stint on SNL (this time with musical guest Cher), the pop superstar has been squeezing holiday duties into whatever spare moments she can find. During a Thursday night appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers (Dec. 18), Grande opened up about her festive habits, her less-than-polished wrapping skills, and one Wicked tie-in product that genuinely unsettled her.
A Very Tired (But Thoughtful) Christmas Shopper
When Meyers asked whether she’d managed to shop for everyone on her Christmas list, Grande laughed and admitted she did her best before the intense SNL week began. “I’ve been managing to wrap some of the gifts in the morning before I leave for SNL,” she shared, adding that by the time she gets home, exhaustion usually wins.
Dressed exactly as Meyers imagined Glinda might appear in real life — flowing, princess-like, and ethereal — Grande was also asked if her wrapping skills were equally magical. Her answer was refreshingly honest. She described her gift presentation as “well-intentioned,” confessing to excessive tape usage and an overall aesthetic that could generously be called chaotic. “It’s hideous,” she joked, “but it’s with love.”
Honoring Nonna Through Holiday Traditions
Despite the hectic schedule, Grande still holds close to the traditions that matter most. She paid a heartfelt tribute to her beloved Nonna, who passed away in June at 99, sharing that baking Italian zeppole with her grandmother was always a cherished Christmas ritual. This year, Grande hopes to experiment with a plant-based version of the treat — though she humorously admitted her Nonna might not have approved.
When Wicked Merch Gets a Little Too Real
After discussing the emotional weight of filming the Wicked movies and how perfectly the role of Glinda aligned with her career journey, Meyers shifted the conversation to the overwhelming amount of Wicked merchandise flooding the market this holiday season.
Grande revealed that her mother fully embraced the merch frenzy, buying nearly everything in sight. “She went a little too hard,” Grande laughed, recalling how she tried — unsuccessfully — to convince her mom that the studio would send plenty of items anyway.
Still, not every tie-in was a delight. Grande admitted that one product in particular crossed into uncomfortable territory: a pink-and-green mac and cheese inspired by Wicked. The audience laughed as she hesitated, clearly unsure whether she should even say it out loud. Meyers quickly reassured her, agreeing that the concept was, in fact, “disturbing.”
“That’s when I realized how big this really is,” Grande said. “It’s a little bigger than I thought.”
Meeting Cher: A Full-Circle Moment
The conversation wrapped on a high note as Grande shared her excitement about working alongside Cher, who will appear as the musical guest on SNL this weekend. Despite their legendary status, the two icons had never met until filming promos earlier this week. Grande couldn’t hide her awe, calling Cher “the one and only” and describing the experience as spectacular.
Between honoring family traditions, navigating blockbuster-level fandom, and sharing the stage with a living legend, Grande’s Wicked era continues to be as surreal as it is meaningful — mac and cheese controversies included.
