Ariana Grande won’t be defying gravity to Brazil just yet. The pop star and actor, who plays Glinda in the Wicked sequel Wicked: For Good, missed the film’s highly anticipated world premiere in São Paulo after a last-minute flight safety issue grounded her travel plans.
Grande shared the news directly with fans on November 5 via Instagram Stories, expressing her devastation over the abrupt change. “I can’t believe this is happening and I am beyond devastated to be sending this message,” she wrote to followers who had hoped to see her on the red carpet in Brazil.
Why Ariana Grande Missed Wicked: For Good’s São Paulo Premiere
According to Grande, her team was forced to deplane shortly before departure due to a maintenance concern that delayed takeoff until the following morning—too late to make the premiere on time. “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 explained.
The Grammy winner emphasized that she and the studio worked tirelessly to find a solution. “My team and Universal have tried every single thing possible to fix this,” Grande 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.”
With travel complications mounting, the star underscored how much she wanted to celebrate with Brazilian fans and the film’s cast and crew. “I am so heartbroken that I’m unable to be there with you all,” she added. “We sincerely tried everything we could and I apologize from the bottom of my heart. 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.”
A Heartfelt Apology To Brazilian Fans
Grande’s message struck an empathetic tone, acknowledging both the disappointment of those planning to attend and her own frustration at circumstances beyond her control. Safety-related maintenance delays are standard procedure in aviation, but the timing made a same-day or overnight turnaround impossible—even with alternative travel options on the table.
Her note also highlighted the collaborative effort between her team and Universal to exhaust every viable route, underlining the scope of the international premiere’s logistics. From commercial flights to private travel requiring special permits, none of the options aligned with the tight schedule for São Paulo’s event.
The Show Goes On: Cast Attendance And Global Tour Dates
While Grande’s absence is a blow to the red-carpet momentum, Wicked: For Good’s world premiere in Brazil is moving forward as planned. The film’s cast, including Cynthia Erivo, is still set to attend in São Paulo, marking the sequel’s first major international debut. The celebration arrives on the heels of an exclusive screening for members of the Broadway company in New York last week, a nod to the property’s stage roots.
Wicked: For Good’s global press tour continues apace after Brazil, with a Paris premiere on November 7, followed by London on November 10 and Singapore on November 13. With multiple international stops in quick succession, the film’s rollout underscores the franchise’s worldwide appeal and the studio’s confidence in the follow-up’s drawing power.
Where Wicked: For Good Fits In The Franchise
Wicked: For Good is the sequel to 2024’s Wicked, which adapted the first act of the beloved Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. The first film proved both a critical and commercial hit, earning 10 Oscar nominations and winning for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design—accolades that have only amplified anticipation for the next chapter.
As Glinda, Grande headlines the new installment opposite a returning ensemble, reconnecting audiences with the reimagined world of Oz that powered the first film’s success. Expectations are high for the sequel to deliver the same blend of spectacle, heart, and musicality that made Wicked a standout cinematic event.
For Brazilian fans, the São Paulo premiere remains a key moment in the franchise’s global journey, even without Grande in attendance. With the cast on hand and festivities proceeding, Universal’s international launch strategy keeps the spotlight squarely on Wicked: For Good as one of 2025’s most buzzed-about releases.
Grande’s absence at the premiere is felt, but her message makes clear she plans to support the film’s cast and fans at every possible turn moving forward. For now, the curtain rises in Brazil as Wicked: For Good begins its international bow—another step in a franchise that continues to cast a spell worldwide.
