Ariana Grande Reveals She Has COVID-19 Amid a Chaotic, Setback-Filled Wicked: For Good Press Tour — Days After Cynthia Erivo Also Fell Ill
Ariana Grande’s latest update arrived with a mix of honesty, exhaustion, and timing that could only belong to the final stretch of a global press tour. On November 20, the 32-year-old star revealed through Instagram Stories that she had tested positive for COVID-19 — a development that immediately shifted the energy surrounding the long-awaited release of Wicked: For Good, set to premiere November 21. Her announcement came with a striking caption attached to a photo from her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: “moments before Covid.” It sounded casual, even humorous, but it marked a moment fans immediately recognized as serious.
Grande’s diagnosis followed a week of unusual disruptions. Days earlier, her co-star Cynthia Erivo had fallen ill during the tour, struggling with her voice and canceling appearances. The press circuit for Wicked — one of the biggest films of the year and the culmination of one of the most beloved musical adaptations in Hollywood history — had already been marked by scheduling chaos, travel complications, and increasingly visible fatigue. Grande’s update added a new, unexpected layer to an already challenging rollout.
According to reporting from People, Grande’s announcement forced her to pull out of multiple scheduled press appearances, including a taping of The Kelly Clarkson Show. Behind the scenes, her team immediately pivoted, cancelling live interviews and shifting her participation to virtual segments where possible. The studio behind Wicked also began reorganizing press efforts around other cast members while maintaining close communication about Grande’s health and the film’s promotional strategy.
The timing was especially delicate because the press tour had been building toward the film’s theatrical debut. Grande has been one of the most public faces of Wicked: For Good, anchoring red carpets and serving as the emotional and promotional centerpiece of the adaptation. Every late-night interview, every behind-the-scenes featurette, every fan meet-and-greet had been woven into a carefully structured campaign — one that had already endured several setbacks.
Entertainment Weekly reported that earlier in the tour, a red-carpet mishap in Singapore created concern after an equipment malfunction startled attendees and momentarily halted the event. The film’s Brazil premiere was also affected when Grande’s plane encountered safety delays, leaving the star unable to appear in person. These disruptions were never presented as dramatic crises, but they signaled a press circuit running on tight margins — and those margins eventually narrowed even further with the arrival of illness.
There is also the personal layer to consider. Grande has spoken in the past about the physical toll of touring and long promotional cycles. This press tour placed her in country after country within days, often performing live vocals, walking extended red carpets, and engaging in full-day press junkets with minimal downtime. That level of exposure — at airports, hotels, venues and press studios — creates constant vulnerability. The reality of a positive COVID-19 test in such conditions is unsurprising; the timing, however, was undeniably difficult.
This is not the first time Grande has dealt with COVID while working on Wwicked. Both she and Cynthia Erivo contracted COVID during filming years earlier, requiring production adjustments. For fans who followed that chapter closely, her new diagnosis stirred memories of that earlier disruption and added emotional weight to the moment. The film represents one of the biggest artistic opportunities of Grande’s career, and the timing of this setback carries symbolic resonance.
Still, the star’s tone in her update was calm and self-aware. Grande did not dramatize the situation; she simply acknowledged it with clarity, humor, and responsibility. That approach is consistent with how she has handled health-related setbacks in the past — directly and without unnecessary drama. In an era where celebrity illness can spiral into chaos online, her approach offered reassurance rather than anxiety.
Public reaction to her announcement was swift and overwhelmingly supportive. Fans reposted the “moments before Covid” caption with messages wishing her rest and health. Many expressed relief that the diagnosis came after most press obligations had concluded. Others reflected on the reality that modern film promotion still places immense pressure on actors, who are expected to travel constantly, maintain perfect energy, and stay healthy despite grueling schedules and unavoidable exposure risks.
Her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who had already been open about her own illness earlier in the week, shared support online. She reminded fans that despite the challenges, the bond between the cast remained strong and uplifting. Their shared vulnerability, occurring so close together, created a narrative of camaraderie rather than crisis — two performers navigating the final stretch of a massive promotional effort while prioritizing their health.
Within industry circles, the setback is viewed as manageable rather than catastrophic. Wicked: For Good is one of the most anticipated films of the year, backed by a massive built-in fanbase and a promotional campaign that has been steadily building for months. While Grande’s illness prevents her from attending final appearances, the film’s release date remains unchanged and early buzz points to a strong opening. Analysts suggest that Grande’s transparency may even humanize the campaign further, creating goodwill rather than disruption.
But beyond the business perspective lies the emotional reality for Grande herself. She has poured years into this role — a transformation from pop icon to leading film actress, from chart-topping performer to cinematic storyteller. The physical and emotional investment was enormous. To have the final days of that journey interrupted by illness is disappointing, but it also highlights her commitment. Even while unwell, she found a thoughtful way to communicate with fans, maintaining openness and gratitude.
The Wicked press tour, while glamorous on the surface, has illuminated how intense the demands on modern performers can be. Grande’s positive COVID test is a reminder that stars are not immune to exhaustion, vulnerability or human limits. It also underscores the resiliency required to navigate a world of constant travel, cameras, and expectations without losing the ability to stay grounded in reality.
For now, the priority is her recovery. Those close to her say she is resting, following medical advice, and focused on regaining strength. Her fans — some of the most engaged and dedicated in the world — have flooded her social media with messages of love, emphasizing that her health matters far more than appearances or interviews.
As Wicked: For Good arrives in theaters, Ariana Grande’s presence will still be felt deeply, even if she must step back temporarily. Her work, her voice, and her dedication shaped the film long before the press tour began. And once she is well, she will return — not because of obligation, but because storytelling remains at the core of who she is.
Her illness is a setback, yes. But it is also a reminder of her humanity, resilience and openness — qualities that may ultimately deepen the impact of both her performance and her connection with fans.
