Ariana Grande Missing ‘Wicked: For Good’ World Premiere in Brazil Due to Flight Issues: ‘I’m So Heartbroken’

Ariana Grande has been forced to cancel her trip to Brazil for the world premiere of Jon M. Chu’s anticipated musical fantasy sequel “Wicked For Good” in São Paulo after a last-minute aircraft safety issue grounded her flight, the pop star revealed in an emotional Instagram post addressed to her fans on Tuesday morning.

“Brazil, I can’t believe this is happening and I am beyond devastated to be sending this message,” Grande wrote. “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.”

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Grande, who plays Glinda in Universal’s “Wicked” film adaptation opposite Cynthia Erivo, said there was no possible way to make it to the premiere in time despite efforts made by her team and the studio.

“My team and Universal have tried every single thing possible to fix this,” she explained. “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 first “Wicked” movie, which came out in 2024 and scored 10 Oscar nominations, was an adaptation of the first act of the hit 2003 Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman. The follow-up, meanwhile, adapts the second act. The sequel has already garnered some early Oscar buzz.

The premiere would have marked Grande’s first in-person appearance in the country in several years. “I am so heartbroken that I’m unable to be there with you all,” she said. “We sincerely tried everything we could and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.”

Grande urged fans to “shower my incredible castmates with all of the love that I wish I could be showering you with and have the most beautiful celebration.”

The São Paulo premiere of “Wicked For Good” marks Universal’s first major international rollout for the film which screened last week for members of the Broadway company of the musical in New York. The next premieres are set for Paris on Nov. 7, London on Nov. 10 and Singapore on Nov. 13.