‘Moments before Covid’: Ariana Grande’s shock diagnosis after Cynthia Erivo’s illness halts Wicked | English Movie News
In a twist worthy of Oz itself, Ariana Grande — pop powerhouse, seasoned performer and soon-to-be Glinda in the second instalment of Wicked — has tested positive for Covid-19. The diagnosis, revealed just days after her co-star Cynthia Erivo also fell ill, has thrown the long-anticipated publicity run for Wicked: For Good into an unexpected stall. It was meant to be a triumphant global press tour for one of the most ambitious musicals ever adapted for the screen. However, it has suddenly shifted into a quieter, stranger rhythm of cancelled appearances, postponed events and two leading ladies in recovery rather than on red carpets.Ariana Grande revealed about the diagnosis, just as her promotional tour for Wicked: For Good came to a close. The 32-year-old shared the news on her Instagram Story, posting a snapshot from her November 18, 2025 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, captioned simply, “moments before Covid.”The moment feels almost symbolic. Wicked: For Good marks the culmination of one of Hollywood’s longest, most scrutinised productions. It is a two-part cinematic retelling of a Broadway phenomenon with a fanbase as passionate as it is impatient. Part One, released earlier this year, launched to huge box office returns and reaffirmed Grande and Erivo as a generational pairing with rare alchemy. Part Two was expected to glide into its promotional rollout on that momentum. Instead, it stumbled into the very familiar 2020s plotline: the pandemic is not done with us yet.
Tour troubles and skipped appearances
Grande’s diagnosis comes at the end of a rocky press run. Earlier in the tour, she missed her scheduled appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and several Q&A panels for the film. She explained on her social media handle that she was “gutted” to miss the scheduled events but grateful for early symptoms, rest and medical care. The singer added that she would return to work “as soon as safely possible,” emphasising both relief and responsibility. Universal studio confirmed that while Grande was recovering at home and doing well, all upcoming press appearances were “suspended until further notice.” Her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, also faced health issues, losing her voice and skipping many red-carpet interviews. Grande even cited solidarity with Erivo when she stepped back. With Erivo already falling ill days earlier, a double blow has been dealt to the publicity plan, given that Wicked’s greatest charm lies in the chemistry between its two leads.
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande reflect on ‘Wicked’ journey after red carpet scare
Universal had planned a large-scale press push for Wicked: For Good, including international junkets, late-night performances and the kind of orchestral red carpet moments that align with epic musicals. With both leading stars sidelined, the studio had little choice but to pause the machinery altogether.Though production on the film wrapped months earlier, the promotional calendar is its own ecosystem — one that relies heavily on star power, tight schedules and global logistics. No new dates have been announced and the studio appears to be prioritising the health and recovery of the actors over an aggressive publicity timeline.
Of Covid setbacks
This isn’t Grande’s first encounter with Covid while working on Wicked. During the filming of the first movie, both she and Erivo tested positive, just before shooting some of the most pivotal musical scenes and Grande has publicly referenced that in her personal reflections.Glinda and Elphaba are once again inextricably linked, navigating a shared interruption just as they prepared to re-emerge before the world. The pair’s bond is one of the franchise’s greatest promotional strengths. Fans refer to them as “Glariana” or “EriGrande,” and millions tune in simply to watch their interviews together. Losing both voices at once was a blow to the press machine but it also reinforced the idea that they truly are two halves of a larger story.For Grande, the timing is particularly emotional. Wicked is not simply another acting project — it is a role she has publicly dreamt of for more than a decade. Her transition from pop superstardom to movie musical lead has been watched with intense fascination and critics widely praised her luminous performance in Part One.
Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film “Wicked For Good” in London, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Photo by Millie Turner/Invision/AP)
Still, the setback is temporary. Covid recovery times vary but both Grande and Erivo are expected to return to normal activities soon. Universal’s calm response suggests confidence that the film’s momentum, built through years of anticipation, will hold steady until they are ready to step back into the spotlight.
What happens next?
Universal has not released a revised schedule for press events. The timing will depend on medical guidance and the recovery pace of both actors. Given the massive scale of the film, the studio will likely prioritise in-person promotional appearances once they are fully healthy but digital alternatives remain an option in the meantime.The entertainment industry has become increasingly flexible with virtual press junkets, at-home interviews and remote talk show appearances are now standard. Still, few films deserve a grander global rollout than Wicked: For Good; it seems unlikely Universal will settle for anything less once circumstances allow.
Public safety, privacy and pressure
Her announcement raises the spotlight not just on her health, but on the intense nature of movie press tours, especially for major blockbusters. The Wicked: For Good tour itself was marred by other drama as a man rushed the red carpet at the Singapore premiere, leading to his arrest.
Los Angeles, Nov 5 (IANS) Hollywood actress-singer Ariana Grande had to miss the world premiere of Jon M. Chu’s anticipated musical fantasy sequel ‘Wicked For Good’ in Brazil.
Grande’s Covid-positive update, combined with the earlier security scare, underscores the strain these global promotional commitments impose on artists.
In the end, the show will go on
What makes the situation compelling is not simply the logistics but the humanity behind it. Grande and Erivo are artists who have poured years of heart, voice and stamina into a project that means as much to its cast as it does to its fans. Their temporary absence from the spotlight has only reminded audiences how much they are missed and how much anticipation remains pulsing under the surface of this franchise.Once they return, once the interviews resume and the music soars and the world sees the culmination of their work, the delay will become a footnote — a brief pause in an otherwise historic moment for musical cinema.For now, though, Hollywood holds its breath, fans send well-wishes and somewhere in two quiet homes, Glinda and Elphaba rest — waiting for the moment they can re-enter the world and tell the rest of the story.
