Ariana Grande's Health Crisis! Covid Hits Amid 'Wicked' Tour?!

Well, this isn't exactly the kind of buzz Universal was hoping for. Ariana Grande, fresh off promoting the highly anticipated *Wicked: For Good*, has tested positive for Covid-19. The news broke via her Instagram story earlier today, featuring a photo from her appearance on *The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon* captioned, simply, "moments before Covid." It's a reminder that even with all the precautions, the virus is still very much out there.

Ariana Grande's Health Crisis! Covid Hits Amid 'Wi...

The positive test explains Grande's absence from red carpet interviews during the New York City premiere. And, according to reports, it's going to impact her scheduled press appearances in the coming days. Sadly, this includes a now-canceled appearance on *The Kelly Clarkson Show*. Cynthia Erivo, her co-star, will apparently handle that one solo. Get well soon, Ari!

Interestingly, this isn't the first brush with Covid for either of the *Wicked* leads. Both Grande and Erivo reportedly tested positive at different times during the actual production of the first *Wicked* film. One has to wonder how many other crew members also faced similar challenges during filming. It seems the road to Oz wasn't exactly paved with yellow bricks, but with potential outbreaks.

Adding to the chaotic premiere tour, Grande also had a rather unsettling encounter with an overzealous fan at the Singapore premiere. Some social media influencer named Johnson Wen apparently grabbed her on the red carpet. Luckily, Erivo quickly stepped in to shoo him away. Turns out, Mr. Wen, an Australian citizen, is now facing a nine-day jail sentence for his actions. Yikes. It’s moments like those that remind you of the darker side of fame.

Despite the Covid setback and the, shall we say, *enthusiastic* fan encounters, anticipation for *Wicked: For Good* remains sky-high. Early projections suggest the film is poised to shatter box office records, potentially surpassing the original *Wicked* as the biggest debut for a movie based on a Broadway musical. We're talking a global opening weekend well over $200 million, with a significant chunk coming from the U.S. and Canada alone. All that aside, let's hope Ariana makes a speedy recovery, and that the rest of the *Wicked* cast and crew stay healthy as they continue promoting this sure-to-be blockbuster.