Ariana Grande shared a surprising and humorous anecdote about the overwhelming success of the "Wicked" film franchise during a recent television appearance. The singer and actor appeared on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on Thursday, where a conversation about holiday gifts led to a revelation about the scale of the movie's popularity.
The Mac and Cheese That Signalled Success
When Meyers hinted at the abundance of "Wicked"-themed presents fans would receive this Christmas, Grande immediately thought of her mother's enthusiastic collecting habits. "My mom has everything," Grande admitted. "She went a little too hard." She recounted trying to reassure her mother that the studio, Universal, would provide merchandise, only to be met with requests for dozens of items.
Among the collectibles, one product stood out as particularly startling. "The pink and green... was it mac and cheese that they did?" Grande recalled. She identified this unusual crossover item as the moment she realized the "Wicked" phenomenon was "bigger than I thought." The product in question is Walmart's "Mystery Color Macaroni & Cheese," a tie-in released last year following the first film.
Creative Fulfillment and Upcoming SNL Hosting Gig
Beyond the merchandise, Grande spoke earnestly about the experience of filming both "Wicked" and "Wicked: For Good." She described the process as "so, so, so, so creatively fulfilling" and praised director Jon M. Chu extensively. "He's the perfect leader," she said, highlighting his meticulous vision combined with an openness to improvisation and play.
Grande's conversation naturally turned to her imminent hosting duties on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. The episode will mark a reunion with her "Wicked" co-star Bowen Yang, reportedly for his final show. Grande had just finished filming promo videos with Yang and the episode's musical guest, the iconic Cher.
Meeting a Legend: Cher
Despite having collaborated with music greats like Mariah Carey and Madonna, Grande was visibly thrilled about meeting Cher. She called the encounter "the most exciting thing" and "so spectacular." While she remained coy about whether they would share the screen during the live broadcast, her admiration was clear: "She's just the one and only... she's just brilliant. I'm so excited."
The interview on Seth Meyers' show provided a candid look at Grande's current projects, blending lighthearted stories about bizarre movie merchandise with genuine reflections on her artistic work and the excitement of upcoming high-profile collaborations.
