Ariana Grande's COVID-19 Diagnosis Disrupts 'The Wicked' Press Tour, Cynthia Erivo Takes Solo Spotlight
November 20, 2025
The excerpt focuses on entertainment industry implications and expected box office performance, without additional technical or policy details.
The piece notes prior security concerns and emphasizes the press tour’s high-profile nature ahead of the film’s release.
Grande discusses a desire to reconnect with acting and pursue smaller TV opportunities next year for creative fulfillment and versatility.
She reiterates the goal of exploring acting roles and non-headline projects to broaden her range beyond major film commitments.
Outlets reference confirmations about Grande and Erivo, noting potential impacts on performances or appearances during the press tour.
Reporting credited to USA TODAY contributor Anna Kaufman, among others, underscoring collaborative coverage.
Fans debated whether Grande signaled retirement, while she clarified the plan was a deliberate “one last hurrah” and a note of gratitude for opportunities.
The Wicked: For Good press tour was disrupted when Ariana Grande tested positive for COVID-19, prompting cancellations and impacting promotional plans.
With Grande sidelined, Cynthia Erivo carried on in solo appearances, adjusting the segment lineup and continuing the film’s promotion.
The film opens in North America over Thanksgiving weekend, with industry projections suggesting a domestic box office surpassing $120 million and a worldwide total above $200 million.
Reported details and confirmations from Deadline, IMDb pages, and other entertainment outlets shape the narrative around the press tour and its effects.
The coverage draws from multiple outlets, including Variety, Deadline, BroadwayWorld, Rolling Stone, and IMDb-linked pages, to present a consolidated view of the event.
Summary based on 34 sources
Get a daily email with more Entertainment stories
Sources

The Guardian • Nov 20, 2025
Ariana Grande contracts Covid during Wicked: For Good press tour
USA TODAY • Nov 20, 2025
Ariana Grande tests positive for COVID as 'Wicked' press tour ends
Yahoo Entertainment • Nov 20, 2025
Ariana Grande Forced To Halt ‘Wicked’ Press Run After Unexpected Diagnosis
The Hollywood Reporter • Nov 20, 2025
Ariana Grande Reveals She Has COVID Amid ‘Wicked: For Good’ Press Tour