Ariana Grande Will Miss The ‘Wicked For Good’ Brazil Premiere Tonight For A Reason You Won’t Believe
by Erin Whitten · Thought CatalogBy Erin Whitten
Updated 1 hour ago, November 4, 2025
In an upsetting and unexpected turn of events, Ariana Grande was forced to cancel her much-anticipated visit to Brazil for the São Paulo world premiere of Wicked For Good, the eagerly awaited sequel to the Jon M. Chu-directed musical fantasy smash Wicked.
The abrupt cancellation was the result of a last-minute aircraft safety issue that prevented her flight from taking off hours before the scheduled departure time.
“Brazil, I can’t believe this is happening and I am beyond devastated to be sending this message,” the singer shared in an emotional Instagram post to her followers in Brazil on Tuesday morning. “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 1 a.m. tomorrow.”
Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Grande shared that she and her team as well as Universal Pictures had attempted every option available to get to the premiere on time. “My team and Universal have tried every single thing possible to fix this,” she 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.”
The postponement came as particularly sad news, as the São Paulo event would have marked Grande’s first in-person visit to the country in years one of the places around the world where her fan base is the most passionate. “I am so heartbroken that I’m unable to be there with you all,” she continued in the Instagram post. “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.”
In a follow-up Instagram Story, the Grammy Award-winning artist addressed fan speculation and frustration head-on, asking for a little patience and understanding. “Please don’t wish danger on us or assume that we didn’t try to get to the premiere,” she wrote. “We did everything we could and I promise you no one is more upset than I am.”
The star also opened up a bit about the hectic timing of her schedule leading up to the intended visit, explaining that there simply was not a better window available, and that the departure time and date had been in the books for months. “There was no other time for me to leave and these plans have been booked for months. I wrapped another film on the 31st and I worked all day the 1st and the 2nd as well, just the same as Jonny, Cyn and Jon have been working, we all were scheduled to leave the same day,” Grande said. “It just so happened that this plane had a safety problem and I have explained why finding another option was impossible.”
“I have been looking forward to this moment for a year,” Grande continued in the Instagram Story, “so please know how disappointed I am. Sending lots of love to you all. I hope it’s a beautiful and safe night. I love Brazil, I always have, I always will.”
A Universal Pictures spokesperson confirmed that the São Paulo Wicked For Good premiere marked the studio’s first major international rollout of the film after it was screened last week for members of the original Broadway cast in New York. Upcoming events for the film include a visit to Paris on Nov. 7, London on Nov. 10, and Singapore on Nov. 13.
The first Wicked film was released in 2024 and was a critical and box office success earning 10 Academy Award nominations and is based on the first act of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s beloved 2003 Broadway musical. The film, Wicked For Good, will continue to follow Glinda and Elphaba as they find and make their destinies and friendship in a world of magic and music. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are leading the all-star cast in the highly anticipated return to Oz.