Sydneysiders had the incredible opportunity to brush shoulders with pop sensation Ariana Grande as she touched down in Australia on Saturday, marking her arrival ahead of the much-anticipated premiere of her new film, Wicked.
Throngs of excited fans flocked to Sydney International Airport to give Grande a warm welcome as she arrived in the vibrant Harbour City, accompanied by her boyfriend and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, as well as fellow castmate Cynthia Erivo.
Footage captured at the airport revealed the singer sporting a radiant smile while interacting with her devoted fans. Many of them proudly displayed signs and colorful posters, eager to secure a coveted autograph from the star.
Grande, who portrays the beloved character Glinda the Good Witch in this film adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, captivated everyone around her in an all-pink ensemble that paid homage to her character’s signature gown.
The 31-year-old star donned elegant Burberry heels and complemented her look with a stylish matching duffle bag, while also carrying a chic pink trunk bag slung comfortably across her body.
Meanwhile, Erivo, who takes on the role of Elphaba, showcased her own sense of style in an olive green dress paired with a matching cap and towering platform heels, accentuated by a shiny silver bag that caught the eye.
As Grande made her way through the throng of fans, she delighted them by blowing kisses and waving enthusiastically, as the crowd erupted into chants of “Ari, Ari!” in a show of unbridled excitement.
The trio of stars arrived in Australia to kick off their global tour for Wicked, which is set to have its highly anticipated debut at Sydney’s historic State Theatre this weekend.
Reflecting on her journey, Grande shared, “My first day on set for Wicked was the most emotional day of my life,” during an interview with Variety at the Met Gala in May.
She vividly recalled the emotional moment, saying, “All I remember was holding hands with Cynthia and Jon (Bailey) and crying, and him saying, just ‘Welcome to Wicked.'”
The Thank U, Next singer first graced the Broadway stage in the musical 13 back in 2008 when she was just 15-years-old, paving the way for her impressive career in performance.
In preparation for her role as Glinda, Grande pursued specialized vocal training to perfect her audition, discussing her experiences on the popular podcast Podcrushed, hosted by Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley.
She elaborated on the challenges of her role, explaining, “Glinda’s a soprano, like opera soprano, not in the way that I’m like a soprano in my pop,” emphasizing the need for a different vocal placement.
Grande expressed her dedication to honing her craft, stating, “It’s just a very different placement in the voice and I was just training it and training it because even though like the notes were there, it’s a different placement and it’s like singing them completely differently, so I wanted to train my muscles.”
Wicked is set to officially hit cinemas across Australia on November 21, surrounded by much excitement and anticipation from fans and moviegoers alike.
**Interview with a Sydney Local About Ariana Grande’s Arrival and the Premiere of *Wicked***
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today! You must have been thrilled to see Ariana Grande arrive in Sydney. Can you share your experience of that day?
**Guest:** Absolutely! It was such an exciting moment for many of us. I was at the airport with a few friends, and the energy was electric. When Ariana walked in, the crowd erupted with cheers. Everyone was so eager to catch a glimpse of her. It was a sight to behold!
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a memorable experience! Did you get to see her interact with the fans?
**Guest:** Yes! It was so heartwarming to see her take the time to wave and blow kisses to everyone. She really seemed to enjoy the moment. Many fans had signs and posters ready for her, and the atmosphere was just filled with love and excitement.
**Interviewer:** She certainly knows how to charm her fans! What did you think of her outfit? It must have made quite an impression!
**Guest:** Oh, definitely! Ariana looked stunning in that all-pink ensemble, so fitting for her role as Glinda. The Burberry heels! I mean, she looked every bit the part of a fairy tale character as she walked through the airport. And it was interesting to see Cynthia Erivo’s unique style too; it really showcased both their personalities.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that her boyfriend and co-star Ethan Slater was with her. Did that add to the excitement?
**Guest:** For sure! Seeing the whole cast together was like witnessing a piece of the movie come to life. It created a buzz not just among the fans, but also in the media. There were a lot of questions about the film, so it seemed like the perfect moment for everyone to get hyped about *Wicked*.
**Interviewer:** What are you looking forward to the most with the *Wicked* movie premiere?
**Guest:** I can’t wait to see how they bring the story to life on the big screen. The musical has such a powerful message about friendship and understanding, plus it’s filled with amazing songs. With Ariana and Cynthia in the lead roles, I believe it’ll be something truly special!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It certainly sounds like an exciting time for Sydney and the fans of *Wicked*.
**Guest:** Thank you! It was great to share my experience. I’m just counting down the days until the premiere!
