Social media users had a lot to say about Ariana Grande's seemingly shocked reaction to an interviewer's revelation. During a Los Angeles premiere of the Ariana Grande-starrer Wicked on Saturday, November 9, Grande was approached by an interviewer who revealed that "95%" of his friends found each other through Ariana's fandom.
The man even revealed that he was in a romantic relationship through the singer's fandom. The singer seemingly looked quite taken aback once the man completed his sentence. However, she quickly composed herself and answered:
"First of all, that is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard in my life. I have met some of my dearest friends through being fans, and made real friends through it too... I think it's such a beautiful thing that pop music, pop culture, these films, and art that we create, can create a safe space for people who feel like they don't belong."
Certain social media users could not believe the interviewer's revelation and claimed that he was being a "simp." One X user, who went by @Rokdaddy_ on the platform, joked:
Similar reactions followed as social media users joked that Grande's expressions did not match her response. Some users claimed that Grande either looked "humbled" or "terrified."
"Yeah see that expression and what she actually said aren’t matching up 😂", thought one X user.
"That's either a look of being deeply humbled or utterly terrified 😂", joked another netizen.
"she’s absolutely thinking “these mfers need a life 😭😭” ", tweeted yet another X user.
More users claimed that the singer looked "disappointed," while others complimented Grande's response.
"looked like she was disappointed 🌚", thought one netizen.
"This was kind of shady lmao", joked another user.
"facial expression is amazing effortlessly conveying emotion with every glance.", noted one X user.
"Regardless of how anyone feels about Ariana, her PR training is unreal because she just said the right thing to get out of there lol", added yet another netizen.
"I gave my everything to it and paused everything else"— Ariana Grande on Wicked
During a Hollywood panel on Sunday, November 10, following a screening of Ariana Grande's upcoming movie version of Wicked, the singer and actress opened up about portraying Glinda the Good Witch in the film. Grande complimented the movie's director, Jon M. Chu, and producer, Marc Platt, and joked (as quoted by Billboard):
"I do think, though, if it hadn’t happened, I might have ended up in an insane asylum, so there’s that,"
Grande revealed that her role in Wicked was vocally "very different" for her than when she usually sang. For two and a half to three months before her first audition for the role, Grande would train with her vocal and acting coaches every day. The singer wanted to be prepared and be able to use whatever tool necessary to "really become" Glinda.
"I gave my everything to it and paused everything else," Ariana Grande said.
Ariana Grande further gushed about her friendship with Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo. According to Billboard, Grande and Erivo made a pact to "really take care" of each other. Erivo added that the duo also promised to "be really honest" with each other and "make space" for each other.
Grande recalled almost foiling her pants due to being extremely nervous about working alongside Erivo but noted that the duo was "just so open" with each other "immediately."
Wicked is all set to hit theaters across the country on Friday, November 22.