Ariana Grande gave her fans a special behind-the-scenes treat from the set of Wicked: For Good, shortly after being swept into a heated online exchange involving the White House.
On Tuesday, September 30, the Grammy-winning singer took to Instagram and posted a black-and-white photo of herself dressed in a glamorous gown.
The image appeared to be from her time filming the highly anticipated musical, where she plays Glinda. Alongside the striking snap, Ariana Grande added a heartfelt caption: “how i’ll cherish my time with and all that i’ve learned from you, sweet Glinda.”
The post delighted millions of her followers, but it also came just days after the star became a central figure in a political controversy. On Sunday, Ariana Grande reshared a post originally made by activist Matt Bernstein.
The message openly criticized the Trump administration’s stances on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and free speech, while also questioning whether the lives of Trump supporters had truly improved under his leadership.
Her decision to amplify the post quickly sparked widespread attention online, drawing both praise and criticism.
A day later, the White House itself responded. Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai issued a statement that not only defended former President Trump’s policies but also referenced several of Ariana Grande’s own hit songs.
“Save your tears, Ariana. Because President Trump’s actions ended Joe Biden’s inflation crisis and are bringing in trillions in new investments,” Desai’s statement read. He went on to add, “He even signed an executive order just like magic that paved the way for the FTC to crack down on Ticketmaster for ripping off Ariana Grande’s concert-going fans. Get well soon, Ariana!”
The unusual mix of political messaging and pop culture references immediately went viral, with fans and commentators debating whether the White House had trivialized the matter or cleverly used Ariana Grande’s fame to gain attention.
Despite the online storm, Ariana Grande has kept her focus on her professional projects.
Her role as Glinda in Wicked: For Good remains one of the most anticipated performances of the year, with the film set to hit theaters on November 21. Fans are eagerly awaiting how the pop icon will bring her own sparkle to the beloved character.
For now, the singer seems to be balancing her dual role as both a celebrated entertainer and a voice unafraid to share her stance on social issues.
With Ariana Grande continuing to command headlines in both music and politics, her presence shows no signs of dimming anytime soon.