Ariana Grande Thanks Fans for Their ‘Patience’ When She ‘Disappeared’ Into Her ‘Wicked’ Role

In honor of Wicked finally arriving in theaters, Ariana Grande is thanking the millions of people who have truly changed her for good.

In a heartfelt message on her Instagram Story Friday (Nov. 22) — the same day Part 1 of Wicked premiered worldwide following months of buildup — the 31-year-old pop star expressed her gratitude for her “sweet, sweet fans.” “you have held my hand and helped mend my heart time and time again over the past ten years, and i would never be here without you,” she wrote. “i mean that in every way you can interpret it.”

“thank you for your patience with me,” Grande continued. “i know i disappeared into this project for a long, long time (i believe you all called it ‘the drought’!) and i know that was hard for you all. i want to thank you for your fierce protection, your passion, and your ability to see me and love me as i evolve alongside all of you.”

“til i am old lady Peaches, i will love you this same way,” added the Grammy winner, referencing the alter ego she created amid her Eternal Sunshine album era earlier this year. “thank you for growing with me. it’s one of the greatest joys and gifts of my life.”

Grande also commemorated the occasion by sharing a collection of behind-the-scenes snaps from the set of Wicked. In one photo, co-leading lady Cynthia Erivo leans her head on the “Yes, And?” singer’s shoulder between takes of the Ozdust ballroom sequence; in another, Grande cuddles up next to costar Jonathan Bailey while filming a classroom scene.

The Victorious alum shared a separate post that included a video of her learning the “What Is This Feeling?” choreography as well, plus a clip of herself — pre-blonde hair — and the Pinocchio actress cracking up during a rehearsal. “like a handprint on my heart,” Grande wrote. “happy Wicked day to all.”

Also starring Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh and Marissa Bode, Wicked arrived in theaters Friday after more than three years in the making. From the moment Grande’s casting was announced in 2021 to the film’s two-year production in London and the monthslong promotional campaign that has unfolded this year, the “We Can’t Be Friends” musician has been open about how much the opportunity has meant to her.

“It just feels like this experience was such a homecoming for me,” she said in a recent radio interview with Australia’s Hit 104.7 Canberra. “I feel like I came home to myself in a lot of ways, through what I learned from Glinda and Elphaba.”

But just because Wicked is finally out — one year ahead of Part 2’s release in 2025 — doesn’t mean Grande is done gushing about it. “this will be Ozian photo dump one out of one million,” she added on her Story. “i apologize in advance. i am nowhere near done oversharing.”