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Ariana Grande

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Ariana Grande and Swarovski are ringing in the holiday season with a dose of glitz, and a dash of glam.

On Monday (Nov. 4), Swarovski shared new photos of the Wicked star in the dazzling, holiday campaign released last week. “Lighting up the party with pure joy and festive spirit, @ArianaGrande serves an unforgettable holiday look in Swarovski Matrix jewelry,” reads the Instagram caption.

“The Party of Dream” takes viewers inside a mesmerizing, modern but retro holiday bash channeling Great Gastby-era shine with big-band style music, flowing champagne and Swarosvski crystals. Grande hits the dance floor in a sparkling Swarovski Couture dress and long black gloves accessorized with bracelets, earrings and a choker from Swarovski’s Millenia collection.

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The glittery ad was helmed by Christian Breslauer, a music video director, producer and cinematographer who has worked with other recording artists such as Doja Cat, Lizzo, SZA and Lil Nas X.

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Giovanna Engelbert is creative director of the campaign shot by fashion photographers Mert Alas and Mac Piggot. Swarovski’s holiday collection includes new releases such as the Matrix bracelet ($300), cocktail ring ($129), cuff ($400), open necklace ($700) and tennis bracelet ($280).

Grande was named Swarovski brand ambassador earlier this year. “I am thrilled to be Swarovski’s Brand Ambassador. It’s an honor to represent a House that shares my passion for creativity, pushes the boundaries beyond the world of jewelry, and promotes values of unapologetic self-expression,” Grande said in a statement. “I cannot wait to embark on this journey and to inspire others to embrace their own unique sparkle.”

“Ariana’s charisma and positive energy resonate with Swarovski’s essence of bringing joy to the world, and I am thrilled that she is joining us as Brand Ambassador,” noted Giovanna Engelbert, Swarovski’s Global Creative Director. “Ariana is a brilliant artist whose creativity shines through her songwriting and vocal performances as well as her personal style. I look forward to engaging in inspiring creative dialogues together.”

The pop star wore a choker, necklace bracelet and earrings from Swarovski’s Millenia collection to the 2024 Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art on Oct. 29.  

Grande has been out and about promoting Wicked, and with less than a month before the musical movie hits theaters, her schedule is about to get even busier. Over the weekend, Grande jetted to Australia over the weekend to premiere Wicked down under. The heavily anticipated musical starring Grande and Cynthia Erivo hits theaters on Nov. 22.

Watch Grande light up the dance floor in Swarovski’s “The Party of Dreams” ad below.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Make room in your budget, Target just dropped new Wicked merch! The Stanley x Wicked collection of limited-edition Stanley Quenchers inspired by characters Elphaba and Glinda were released exclusively at Target on Sunday (Oct. 13).

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The collection features two cups, available in glossy pink and green colorways representing Glinda and Elphaba. The tumblers are available in 40-ounce ($55) and 20-ounce ($$20) sizes. Stanley cups are known to sell out quickly, and the Wicked collection will be no exception. The collection is currently available in limited supply online and in Target stores.

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Target

Wicked x Stanley 40 oz Stainless Steel H.20 FlowState Quencher Tumbler

Target

Wicked x Stanley 20 oz Stainless Steel H.20 FlowState Quencher Tumbler

Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, hits theaters on Nov. 22.

In honor of the film, Target announced over 150 Wicked-inspired pieces including apparel, accessories and beauty releases such as OPI’s Wicked nail polish collection, film inspired It Cosmetics Ulta x Wicked brushes, Beekman 1802 bath, body and skincare and makeup, and Grande’s r.e.m. beauty Wicked collection available Ulta Beauty at Target for a limited time.

Also available at Target, Bitty Boomers Elphaba and Glinda speakers, Mattel’s Elphaba Singing Doll and Fiyero Fashion Doll, Fisher-Price Little People Collector set, Glinda and Elphaba Funko Pop! collectibles, a Target-exclusive Wicked soundtrack and more. Starting on Nov. 3, Wicked-themed displays and instillations will debut in Target stores.   

“Like so many people, the Target team can’t wait for ‘Wicked’ to hit theaters, and we have everything you need to embrace your inner Elphaba or Glinda,” said Jill Sando, Target’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer of apparel and accessories, home and hardlines. “When it comes to big cultural moments like this, there’s no place like Target. With a captivating shopping experience and the largest assortment of retailer-exclusive products, this is Target at our best and I’m so excited for families to celebrate ‘Wicked’ with us.”

When The Weeknd’s “Die for You” came out in 2016, it was just a modest hit, failing to crack the top 40 on the Hot 100. But the track was rejuvenated during the pandemic, thanks in part to the community of TikTok users who love sped-up and slowed-down remixes. Interest in “Die for You” eventually spiked enough that it was promoted to radio as if it were a new record, and after Ariana Grande hopped on a remix, the ballad lumbered to No. 1 on the Hot 100 in March 2023, more than six years after its release. 
In recent years, starting especially during the pandemic, major hits following a similar trajectory have become a regular feature of the pop landscape. Two months after “Die for You” peaked, Miguel’s early 2010s R&B hit “Sure Thing” climbed to No. 1 on the Pop Airplay chart — No. 11 on the Hot 100 — more than a dozen years after its original release. And in October, Taylor Swift‘s “Cruel Summer” topped the Hot 100, four years after it came out as a deep cut on 2019’s Lover. 

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“There’s a huge trend for music that’s chronologically old to have a second life,” Amazon Music global head of music programming Mike Tierney told Billboard in 2022. “The lines are getting incredibly blurry.”

It felt reasonable to assume that this blurring process would continue. In a surprising turnaround, however, those lines look more solid this year: So far, no catalog tracks — defined as more than 18 months old — have made it to the upper reaches of the Hot 100. 

The closest thing would be Djo’s neo-glam hit “End of Beginning,” which peaked at No. 11 at the end of March, just around 18 months after its original release. Early in the year, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2002 nu disco cut “Murder on the Dancefloor” looked like it might become ubiquitous after its revival via the hit film Saltburn, but in the end, it topped out at No. 51 — pretty good for a song released more than two decades ago, but not at the same level as the reincarnated hits of 2023. 

Executives believe this change is partly due to the deluge of superstars and breakout artists vaccuming up attention with new releases, preventing listeners from wandering aimlessly towards oldies. In addition, they say, disruptions to the pipeline of film and TV last year, and the music ecosystem on TikTok this year, closed off some avenues for old songs to transform into new hits. 

While it’s not even halfway through 2024, the new-release calendar has already been packed with high-flying albums — a pair from Future & Metro Boomin, double-LP-sized releases from Beyonce and Taylor Swift, plus full-lengths from Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, J. Cole, and more A-listers. Kendrick Lamar and Drake didn’t put out albums, yet they still commanded everyone’s attention for weeks with diss records. “The quality of new music that’s come out this year is so high that there hasn’t been the need to bring back old records to use on TikTok,” says Mike Weiss, vp of music and head of A&R at the distribution company UnitedMasters. 

This sentiment was echoed by R Dub, director of programming at Z90, a top 40 station in San Diego: Playing rejuvenated oldies “is a little easier to justify,” he says, “when there just isn’t enough top-tier current product coming out.” 

This matters because when catalog hits are on the verge of being massive, radio functions as a closer. After these songs have gone bananas on short-form video platforms and seen a similar bump on streaming services, then it becomes radio’s turn to blanket the rest of the population. Not only did “Die for You” and “Sure Thing” top Pop Airplay, “Cruel Summer” spent longer at No. 1 on that chart than any of Swift’s many other hits.  

But a track doesn’t typically make it big at radio without a big label push, and right now, with so much current-release firepower, labels don’t feel the need to dust off old records and present them to program directors as if they’re fresh. “It’s exciting to be at top 40 again, because of all these great new singles,” says Jay Michaels, brand manager for Y101, a pop station in Mississippi. “They’re different styles, from pop to country to hip-hop to alternative; they’re big, and they’re legit.” 

Importantly, these songs aren’t just coming from the usual suspects among the pop elite: First-time acts also appear to be breaking through at a steady clip, after several years of stagnation. 

In 2022, executives described the landscape for important new artists as “abysmal” and “dry as f–k.” In recent months, however, Shaboozey, Sabrina Carpenter, Sexyy Red, Chappell Roan, Benson Boone, Tommy Richman, and other newbies have all been vying for chart real estate simultaneously. Their approaches vary widely: Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” is a falsetto-smeared homage to underground Memphis hip-hop; Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is a country club-wrecker; Boone prefers heaving pop power ballads. 

The emergence of all these artists in close succession over the course of a few months is a welcome sign in the music industry. Artist development suffered “because of the pandemic,” according to Weiss. Now, he says, “it feels like we’re over that hump, there’s been enough time to really make great records, develop artists and put the work in” – building the type of foundations that can lead to sustained breakthroughs.

This means that new music has enjoyed a surge of top reinforcements as it battles with legions of oldies for eyes and ears. At the same time, catalog has been fighting with one hand tied behind its back for many months. 

First, retrenchment and belt-tightening in Hollywood – combined with dual strikes in 2023 – slowed the flow of new TV shows and movies. Netflix plans to reduce the amount of original movies it makes by nearly half, according to Variety. And Deadline noted in December that while 2023 “counted 124 wide theatrical releases (opening in 1,000-plus theaters), the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes forced a bulk of tentpole delays that are leaving 2024 with only 107 wide titles.” That leaves fewer opportunities for the synch soundtrack moments that often jolt catalog records to life. 

At the start of this year, catalog was hobbled further when licensing negotiations between Universal Music Group and TikTok crumbled. “Many of the titles that ‘come back’ do so via TikTok — they just explode out of nowhere,” R Dub notes. That process was impeded when UMG and TikTok failed to reach an agreement at the end of January. 

Most of the labels’ official recordings were then yanked from the platform. After a month, most recordings featuring contributions from Universal Music Publishing Group’s songwriters were pulled as well. 

As a result, a large swath of popular music was much harder to stumble across on the app that plays an outsized role in music discovery — especially for younger listeners. And those listeners are more likely to hear a catalog track and experience it as new, simply because they’re younger and have heard less music. An 18-year-old TikToker was around four or five when “Sure Thing” first came out. 

Despite this turbulence, several executives believe that catalog hits are just experiencing a temporary downturn. Mike Biggane, a former UMG and Spotify executive, predicts that “older music will continue to be rediscovered outside of the release moment.” 

The star-packed release schedule can’t continue at this pace forever, leaving more room for rediscovery. And UMG and TikTok reached a deal in May. 

“As long as people have a platform like TikTok where they have a viral mechanism for sharing their own interpretation of their favorite songs, you’ll continue to see these moments [where old tracks] pop up,” says Benjamin Klein, a manager who also runs Hundred Days Digital, a TikTok marketing agency.

The question is: Now that the pandemic is in the rear-view mirror, when these throwback singles re-emerge, will they look more like “Die for You” or “Murder on the Dancefloor”?

At midnight, Ariana Grande made her grand return to music with the assertive new single “Yes, And?”
Released as the lead track for her forthcoming seventh album, the boundary-setting song makes clear that the pop star is too busy living her “authentic life,” as she sings, to be concerned with what others are saying.

In the just-released music video, Grande doubles down. As shown in the teaser clip, a handful of critics are seen entering an industrial-looking warehouse — and with plenty of opinions in hand. “You know, I think I liked her better when her ponytail was a few centimeters higher,” says one. “I mean, who cares if she’s happy? I don’t want happy. I want Ari,” quips another.

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As they’re about to walk into the room in which they will see what Ariana has to present, an earlier group is seen walking out sweaty and in awe. As the next group takes their seats (under a heat lamp, no less, perhaps a nod to the kind of heated spotlight Grande lives under), the camera pans to a series of stone sculptures before landing on one of the pop star front and center.

And much to viewers’ satisfaction, as the music begins, the immobile figures shatter — and out struts Ari.

Wearing a ballet-inspired outfit and character shoes, she completes her look with a hat that pays homage to legends like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul — and the nod doesn’t end there. The clip, directed by Christian Breslauer, seems to take inspiration from Abdul’s visual for her own “Cold Hearted Snake,” leaning deeper into the late-’80s energy of the song itself.

By the video’s end, Grande assumes the position her statue was in at the start — and just as she hits the exact pose, she’s turned back to stone. The potential takeaways are plentiful: Is it a commentary on fragility or strength? Is it a reminder that rough exteriors are built upon hardship as a means of protection?

There’s really only one certainty: No matter how the message is perceived, Grande doesn’t really care. She knows what it means to her.

Watch the “Yes, And?” video below.

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Ariana Grande is back — and she has some things to say.
On Friday, Jan. 12, the pop star returned with her inquisitive and gleaming new single “Yes, And?” The song serves as the first taste of Grande’s forthcoming seventh album.

Inspired by late ’80s dance-pop production, the catchy track is made all the better by Grande’s unshakeable confidence and comfort in her own skin. “Yes, and? Say that s— with your chest, and, be your own f—ing best friend,” she instructs, seeming to lead by example.

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The overall message is loud and clear: she’s seen the comments, and she’s not taking s— from anybody.

“I’m so done with caring what you think, no I won’t hide underneath your own projections or change my most authentic life,” she sings in a soft and syrupy sweet tone, evoking a “kill ’em with kindness” energy.

And later, during a spoken word interlude, Ari even declares: “Your energy is yours and mine is mine…don’t comment on my body, do not reply.”

And while her message is firm, the upbeat and retro production is less so, helping drive home Grande’s laid back, carefree attitude. Written and produced by the pop star alongside Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh, the thumping and rallying chorus is prime for a dancefloor — there are even elements that call back to Madonna’s “Vogue,” which could very well be a tease to the album’s overall sound).

Yesterday, on Thursday, Jan. 11, Grande released a teaser clip to the song’s visual. It opened with a hand holding a red card that read “AG7.” The other side of the card read: “Your presence has been exclusively requested.”

The clip then cuts to various voices saying things like: “You know, I think I liked her better when her ponytail was a few centimeters higher”; “I mean, who cares if she’s happy? I don’t want happy. I want Ari.”; and ““Well, I read it on the Internet, so it must be true!”

“Yes, And?” is a direct response to such critiques. And in typical Ariana fashion, she leans into one of her greatest strengths: being oh so sweet.

Stream “Yes, And?” and view the single art and below.

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Katia Temkin

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Can’t pass up a good deal? This popular Ariana Grande perfume is on sale at select retailers.

If you’re a fan of the Grammy-winning singer’s perfumes, then you probably already know about Cloud (for those unfamiliar with Grande perfumes, Cloud is one of her popular scents). Fans have been head over heels for Cloud since it debuted in 2018 (the Sweetener era was something special).

The gorgeous fragrance features a dreamy blend of lavender blossom, juicy pear and bergamot; with notes of whipped crème de coconut, praline, vanilla orchid and sensual musk round. Cloud also doubles as a dupe for Baccarat Rouge, according to multiple TikTokers.

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Cloud has become so popular that it has its own sequel. The “Side to Side” singer dropped a follow-up fragrance, Cloud 2.0, in 2021.

Where can you buy Cloud on sale? Walmart has one of the deepest deals that we’ve seen at nearly half off the $45 retail price for a one-ounce bottle. Cloud is also available in a 1.7-ounce bottle, which retails for $55, and a 3.4 ounce bottle, which retails for $65.

Although Walmart has a great sale, you can score a smaller discount on Cloud and other fragrances at Ulta Beauty. Save 10% off select perfumes when you use the code: SUMMER23 (free shipping on $35+).

Grande is no stranger to the world of celebrity perfumes. She debuted her first scent, Ari Ea de Parfum, in 2015 and has gone on to release more than a dozen others including Moonlight, Thank You Next, God is a Woman, Sweet Like Candy, Ari Eau de Parfum and R.EM. MOD Blush and MOD Vanilla, released last year, are the latest additions to her scent collection.

Purchase Cloud on sale below.

Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum (1.0 oz.)
$26.20 $45 42% off% OFF

Happy birthday, Ariana Grande! The superstar celebrated her 30th birthday on Monday (June 26), and marked the occasion with a sweet post dedicated to her inner child. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “HBD, tiny!” Grande captioned the throwback photo of herself dressed as Dorothy from The […]

For years, Ariana Grande was usually seen in a signature makeup look that included a thick, winged eyeliner and plump lips. Nowadays, the “Positions” singer is opting for a more natural makeup look, mostly focused on fluttery lashes and hydrated skin, and she took to TikTok to share a hilarious video poking fun at her […]

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
When you hear tarot, your first thought may be of TikToks featuring a table with a deck of cards surrounded by crystals and someone flipping cards over while saying, “Someone from your past is going to come back.” But the social media fad has quickly gained popularity for helping you do some quiet introspection.

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Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and more stars have delved into the hobby seeking out readings or doing readings of their own. On Sunday (May 28), Grande posted a TikTok giving fans a peek inside her bag, which included what she believes to be the best tarot cards.

“I do these every day,” Grande proclaims while holding up the tarot cards. “Everyone comes in and out of my tent [on the set of Wicked], I do everyone’s cards for them.”

The video shows Grande with her go-to purse taking out her everyday essentials while she’s been in London shooting Wicked — including a bottle of MOD Vanilla Perfume, R.E.M Beauty’s On Your Collar Lipstick (in the shade Tongue Tied), On Your Collar Lip Gloss (in the shade Chuckie), Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow (in Lab Coat), rose quartz, sage, The Queer Tarot and more.

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‘The Queer Tarot: An Inclusive Deck and Guidebook’ by Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham
$19.60 $28.00 30% OFF

The “Thank, U Next” singer’s favorite cards come decked out with illustrations depicting queer history, LGBTQ+ representation and a range of gender expressions and sexual orientations included. Created by queer and trans authors, the set comes with 78 colorful cards to do readings with, a 168-page reference book and a travel case featuring a magnetic closure — and it’s a perfect purchase for Pride Month.

Below see Grande’s TikTok along with an astrologer’s guide to tarot and some other decks to get your started.

For those thinking of getting into tarot or who want to learn more, Billboard spoke with Stephanie Campos an astrologer, witch and author of Seasons of the Zodiac: Love, Magick and Manifestation Throughout the Astrological Year who gave insight on what to know before snagging a deck of your own.

If you’ve ever been told that your first deck has to be gifted to you, Campos is here to dispel that. “It is absolutely OK to buy your own tarot deck,” she said. “There is no need to wait for someone else to gift one to you. If you feel drawn to the tarot, listen to your intuition and explore your relationship with the cards.”

Campos also says you’re also allowed to own more than one deck — just take note of which ones you’re drawn to as those are the cards you’ll want to invest in.

“There are so many types of decks out there with varied symbolism,” Campos explained. “Go toward the decks you feel drawn to. Once you own more than one deck, you may start to notice that you use your different decks for different purposes. For example, you may have a personal deck you use only for yourself, a deck you use with clients or a deck you use solely to ask about business-related matters. Trust your intuition, there is no wrong answer here!”

Practicing tarot is a personal ritual and for some that may include cleansing their decks. It’s an optional task, but as Campos describes, it helps charge and reset the cards and eliminate any negative energy.

“I highly recommend using clear quartz or tourmaline to charge or clear a deck’s energy,” she said. “You can place the crystal on top of your deck as you sleep. Clear quartz is great for clarity and tourmaline soaks up negative energy and dispels it. You can also use the moonlight to clear or cleanse your deck’s energy. Place your deck outside under the moonlight or on a windowsill a few days after a new moon or under a full moon to reset the energy.”

Campos also says it’s up to you on how often you cleanse your deck. She likes using a crystal daily to reset her own deck, but “some cleanse the deck once a month alongside the moon cycle” while “some readers will clear their deck anytime someone else touches it — it’s really up to you.”

To get you started on your tarot journey, we rounded up some of the best tarot cards including Campos’ pick for beginners.

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‘Pamela Colman Smith’s RWS Tarot Deck’ by Pamela Colman
$13.30 $21.95 39% OFF

If you’re a beginner, Campos suggests starting with a deck you feel the most attracted to as there is “no right or wrong way to get started.” If you’re still not sure where to begin, Campos recommends Pamela Colman’s RWS Tarot Deck as a simple way to familiarize yourself with the practice.

“Each card represents a new part of the Fool’s journey throughout the deck, and this is a great way to build up your comfortability with the archetypes, symbols and meanings behind each card through the detailed imagery,” Campos said.

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‘Ok Tarot: The Simple Deck For Everyone’ by Adam J. Kurtz
$19.73

Another beginner-friendly deck is Ok Tarot by Adam J. Kurtz as it uses minimalist, hand-drawn illustrations that are open to interpretation. There is even a 48-page introduction booklet with broken down interpretations for each symbol to help guide you.

Amazon

‘Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot’ by Matt Hughes
$19.49 $26.95 28% OFF

We’ve personally tried this ethereal tarot deck and love how whimsical and elegant the illustrations are. Each card features detailed illustrations and for those still learning, you can refer to the mini booklet that’ll break down the meaning of the symbols and describes the difference between major and minor arcanum.

Amazon

‘The Modern Witch Tarot Deck’ by Lisa Sterle
$21.99 $26.99 19% OFF

Bringing a contemporary twist to the traditional tarot cards is The Modern Witch Tarot Deck. As another Billboard favorite, these cards feature a mix of diverse characters and modern fashion, resulting in a relatable deck you can’t help but want to shuffle through.

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‘The Antique Anatomy Tarot Kit: Deck and Guidebook for the Modern Reader’ by Claire Goodchild
$26.71 $29.99 11% OFF

To really break down tarot is this ultimate guide and deck that won’t leave you pulling up Google. Included is the full set of cards and an informational booklet with reimagined meanings behind the major and minor arcana to make it easier to relate to your modern life.

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‘Tattoo Tarot: Ink & Intuition’ by Diana McMahon Collis
$15.29 $17.99 15% OFF

This tarot card set brings an inked out twist to the traditional version with 78 cards created under the guidance of a professional tarot consultant and writer. Add it to your collection of decks or, if you’re a newbie, you can look to the 28-page booklet with all the FAQs and meanings inside.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best astrology gifts, travel tote bags and venue-approved bags.

Michelle Yeoh is set to grace the land of Oz as Madame Morrible in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked, and the Academy Award-winning actress gave some insight on the current filming process.

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She told ET that filming has been “great” so far. “Really good. Love working with Ariana [Grande] and Cynthia [Erivo],” she added.

She also previously shared how the film’s director Jon M. Chu, who worked with Yeoh on 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians, convinced her to take the role. “He said he’s gonna send me the script, [ask me to] consider it,” she recalled. “Then, he goes off. Two days later, I get a message from him, and he has recorded a message from Ariana and Cynthia and him, saying, ‘Hi, Michelle. It’s imperative, imperative, absolutely — what was it? — imperative that you join us now.’”

Chu shared that Yeoh joined the Wicked cast back in December. “It took one tweet to convince the ICON (and dear friend) #MichelleYeoh to play our Madame Morrible in #WickedMovie,” the filmmaker tweeted along with an article by The Hollywood Reporter confirming the casting. “Am I the luckiest director in the world to get to work with her again?! Spoiler alert: yes I am. Welcome to Shiz.”

In the Broadway version of the beloved Wizard of Oz prequel, Yeoh’s character serves as the headmistress of Shiz and promises to introduce Elphaba to the famous Wizard himself, leading into fan-favorite number “The Wizard and I.”

The film adaptation is set to be released in two parts. Wicked Part 1 will be released next Thanksgiving (Nov. 27, 2024), and the second part currently scheduled for Christmas Day (Dec. 25) in 2025.