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Ariana Grande Credits ‘Wicked’ Role, Director Jon M. Chu in Speech
Ariana Grande was in good spirits at the recent awards event. Upon receiving an award from presenter Coolidge, the singer playfully pretended to stumble under the weight of the hefty trophy. Expressing her gratitude in her acceptance speech, Grande first thanked Coolidge, whom she has often imitated on popular television shows such as Saturday Night Live and various late-night talk shows. Coolidge, in turn, acknowledged Grande for revitalizing her career and propelling her to cult status through roles in “Legally Blonde” and the more recent “White Lotus.” Grande also featured Coolidge in her 2019 music video for “thank u, next.”
Addressing Coolidge directly on stage, Grande expressed her admiration, saying, “Your comedic genius and brilliance has inspired me my entire life.” She went on to extend her appreciation to “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu, whom she referred to as “our incredible fearless leader.” The award was described by Grande as a dual celebration for both herself and her character Glinda from Oz.
Reflecting on the significance of humor in her life, Grande shared, “I learned early on that laughter was one of our greatest escapes, and I remember the infectious impact that it had not only on the people in my life but how it fed me in return. And over the past 10 years, when I was solely focused on music, I really missed that feeling.” Drawing parallels between her character Glinda and the role of comedy, she emphasized, “Though Glinda the Good is full of frivolous humor and witty punch lines, comedy is just another way of telling the truth. She has an innate ability to make light out of darkness and to bring levity wherever she goes even when there’s pain.”
