Ariana Grande has confirmed she will not attend the “Wicked: For Good” premiere in São Paulo, Brazil, this week, despite doing everything she could to make it on time. The 32-year-old actress and singer shared the disappointing update late Monday night on Instagram, expressing heartbreak over the unexpected setback.
“Brazil, I can’t believe this is happening, and I am beyond devastated to be sending this message,” Grande wrote in her Instagram Story. She explained that her team was forced to deplane after their aircraft required urgent maintenance for a safety issue.
Getty“A few hours ago, my team and I had to deplane our flight, as they had to do maintenance on the plane due to a safety issue and it will not be taking off until 11 a.m. tomorrow, which means that I would not be making it in time for the ‘Wicked: For Good’ São Paulo premiere,” she shared.
Flight Troubles Leave the Star Stranded
Grande revealed that she and her team explored every option to make it to Brazil, but none were feasible within the required timeframe. “My team and Universal have tried every single thing possible to fix this,” she wrote.
“We’ve searched every other flight, overnight, early morning, connecting flights, commercial and also private options and absolutely nothing was available or possible that would get us there in time. Even in attempting a private option, there is a permit necessary in order to fly from here that takes time to attain.”
The singer said that the delay was entirely out of her control and that she was devastated to let her fans down.
‘I Am So Heartbroken,’ Grande Tells Fans
The “Positions” singer apologized sincerely to her Brazilian fans, calling the missed event “heartbreaking.” “I am so heartbroken that I’m unable to be there with you all. We sincerely tried everything we could and I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” she wrote.
She encouraged fans to celebrate the milestone without her, adding, “Please shower my incredible castmates with all of the love that I wish I could be showering you with and have the most beautiful celebration. And again, I am so, so very sorry.”
Grande’s emotional message quickly circulated online, with fans expressing sympathy and admiration for her transparency.
‘Wicked: For Good’ Global Premieres Continue
While Grande can no longer attend the São Paulo premiere, her co-stars, including Cynthia Erivo, are still scheduled to appear. The Brazilian event marks the first international stop for the highly anticipated film’s global rollout.
The next premieres are set to take place in Paris on Nov. 7, London on Nov. 10, Singapore on Nov. 13, and New York on November 17.
“Wicked: For Good,” which reimagines the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, stars Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba. Despite the setback, fans can expect Grande to attend the upcoming international events once travel resumes as planned.
