Ariana Grande expresses gratitude for her Wicked filming experience with boyfriend Ethan Slater, declaring a permanent bond with the cast

Ariana Grande shared an emotional post about wrapping filming on Wicked, where she met her boyfriend Ethan Slater, to Instagram on Wednesday. 

To mark the end of her days as Glinda the Good Witch, the Thank U, Next singer, 30, shared a behind-the-scenes image of her silhouette, with the caption ‘handprint on my heart,’ referencing the song, For Good, from the hit 2003 musical Wicked.

‘I will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with [Glinda],’ she wrote on her Instagram Story. ‘Or you. or my Cyn [Cynthia Erivo]. Permanently and preferably intertwined.’

She continued: ‘I am so inexplicably thankful that we got to add so many soggy eyelashes to the collection.’ 

Ariana Grande shared an emotional post about wrapping filming on Wicked, where she reportedly met her boyfriend Ethan Slater, to Instagram on Wednesday; seen in April 2023

To mark the end of her days as Glinda the Good Witch, the Thank U, Next singer, 30, shared a behind-the-scenes image of her silhouette, with the caption ‘handprint on my heart,’ referencing the song, For Good, from the hit 2003 musical Wicked

The two-time Grammy winner went on to thank the film’s director, Jon M. Chu, as she admitted that ‘there aren’t words quite yet’ to describe her emotions.

‘Thank you, Jon, for leading the way with such compassion, openness, brilliance and kindness,’ she concluded. ‘I have never seen someone conduct a space the way you do. I love you so much.’ 

Her post was in response to Chu’s Instagram post, bidding farewell to their time together on set.

The film director, 44, declared that he would ‘never forget’ his year working with Grande.

‘Can’t wait for you to meet her,’ he told his followers.

He concluded: ‘Thank you @arianagrande for pouring your heart into Oz.’

Grande portrays Glinda the Good Witch in the upcoming film based on Gregory Maguire’s best selling novel and the hit Broadway musical adaptation. 

It is a prequel to the The Wizard of Oz in which the storyline proceeds Dorothy and details the one-time friendship between the Elphaba and Glinda characters.

‘I will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with [Glinda],’ she wrote on her Instagram Story. ‘Or you. or my Cyn. permanently and preferably intertwined’ (pictured with costar Cynthia Erivo)

The set is where she met her boyfriend, who plays Boq, a resident of Munchkinland

Earlier this week, Slater shared a slideshow of photos on set, includign a few outside his trailer, which had his character’s name on the door

The set is where she met her boyfriend, who plays Boq, a resident of Munchkinland. 

Earlier this week, Slater shared a slideshow of photos on set, includign a few outside his trailer, which had his character’s name on the door.

‘Bye Boq Woodsman,’ he captioned the post. 

The film also stars Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, as well as Bowen Yang, Adam James, Keala Settle and Bronwyn James.

Wicked, which is being adapted into a two-part series, has kept details of its shoot under wraps.

Wicked Part 1 was originally set for a Christmas Day, 2024 release but it has been moved up to November 27, 2024, with the second installment set to arrive December 25, 2025.

Earlier this year, Jeff Goldblum let it slip that he had been cast in the film while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

‘I was just on the set of Wicked. I’m not supposed to talk about that. But it’s been out and about,’ he said. ‘You should see our witches, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, very good.’

In March, Grande posted an image of her character, Glinda, donning a pink gown while making her way up a long staircase

The Wicked set seen above

And in March the stars of the film, Ariana and Cynthia, posted first look images from their upcoming movie.

Grande posted an image of her character, the good witch Glinda, donning a pink gown while making her way up a long staircase.

Erivo, 36, shared a shot of her character, wicked witch Elphaba pictured with her hat and broom.

At the time, Chu posted both of shots with the caption, ‘You weren’t told the whole story. What happens when you veer off the Yellow Brick Road? FIRST LOOK of the #WickedMovie … currently in production in Oz.’

Erivo responded in the comments, ‘It’s been wonderful making magic with you.’

The pop star has publicly said for over a decade that Glinda is her dream role

Upon landing the role, Grande shared a photo of flowers sent to her from Erivo to celebrate the  achievement

Kristin Chenoweth, who originally played Glinda the Good Witch, has repeatedly said she is ‘so proud’ of Grande for taking on her role.

The 54-year-old actress, who was nominated for a Tony Award when she originated the part of the good witch in the smash hit musical, previously revealed the pop star was ‘really scared’ at the idea of taking on the role in the upcoming two-part movie adaptation.

Speaking on The Kelly Clarkson Show, she said: ‘She didn’t call me for advice but she was really nervous. She said she wanted to pay homage to me but said ‘I’m really scared, I wanna make you proud’.

‘Well, she’s already made me proud. Done. Check.”

The former Pushing Daisies actress – who has known Ariana since she met her backstage at Wicked as a young fan almost 20 years ago – urged the Thank U, Next hitmaker to make the role her own.

And she recalled their shared excitement when the singer called her to tell her she’d got the part.

She added: ‘I said ‘What I want to encourage you do, Ariana, is make Glinda your Glinda. I want you to do you.’ I’ve known her since I was 10, and now I see the full circle.

Kristin Chenoweth, who originally played Glinda the Good Witch, has repeatedly said she is ‘so proud’ of Grande for taking on her role (seen in October 2023)

‘She called me [crying] like ‘I got it!’ I went ‘Oh my God, what?!’ We sounded like dogs! But I’m so proud of her. ‘

Ariana regularly calls Kristin about her ideas for her character and the ‘West Wing’ star “can’t wait” to see her on the big screen.

She said: ‘[Ariana] calls me and says ‘This is what I got to do, what do you think?’ I can’t wait to see her do it. I can’t wait. She just said ‘Kristin, I’m gonna be freaking out on the night of the premiere’

‘So I said ‘Stop, you’re gonna be great!'”