During a recent Q&A session, Billy, a dedicated fan, couldn’t help but fangirl over Ariana Grande as she interviewed the Oscar nominee. Billy excitedly recalled how she had found out through the internet that Ariana had landed the role of Glinda in the highly anticipated Wicked film. “I was so excited! I didn’t even know you then, but I was just fangirling over it!” she exclaimed, making it clear how much of a fan she was. Ariana, touched by Billy’s excitement, smiled and expressed how happy she was to know that Billy was rooting for her, saying, “That makes me so happy.”

For Ariana, landing the role of Glinda was a dream come true. The actress reflected on the overwhelming response from the fans, saying, “Not only is it my dream role, but just to see the world respond the way that it has and embrace us and the story… it’s just really beautiful.” Ariana was particularly moved by the way fans had embraced the project, sharing their excitement through videos and posts. The Wicked community has come together to celebrate the film and its cast, and Ariana feels incredibly grateful for that.

Billy’s excitement was contagious during the Q&A session, where she continued to express her joy for Ariana’s role. As the conversation turned to the Wicked production, Ariana shared how she had never imagined she would land the role in a million years. “I never in a million years would have thought this would happen,” she said, still in disbelief over the opportunity. “To be able to play the role of my dreams, I was just so grateful every day.” She focused on doing the work and was caught by surprise at how much recognition the project received.

This Q&A event also marked a full-circle moment for the pair. Last year, at the Academy Awards, Ariana and Cynthia Erivo had the honor of presenting Billy with her second Oscar. Now, with Ariana in the spotlight for her Wicked role, she is preparing for her own potential Oscar nomination, with many speculating that she could earn a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Reflecting on her success, Ariana remained humble and focused on the craft. “All I wanted to do was the work, and to be recognized in this way is… surreal,” she said, expressing gratitude for the recognition she had received so far.

As she looked ahead to the future, Ariana marveled at how far she had come. “There’s no way to prepare yourself for it,” she admitted. The journey from being a fan of Wicked to playing Glinda had been surreal for Ariana, and she cherished the experience with her castmates, including Cynthia. The shared success of the Wicked project was especially meaningful for Ariana as she reflected on how incredible it was to be part of something so beloved by fans around the world.

For Ariana, this moment is a dream come true, but it’s also one that she will continue to take in stride, remaining grounded and focused on the work she loves. Through it all, her gratitude for the opportunity to be part of Wicked and for the support from fans like Billy was evident, and she looks forward to the future with excitement.