Pop superstar Ariana Grande made a surprise appearance with her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo during a concert at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, delighting fans with two powerful duets. The reunion marked a special moment for the artists, who are set to star together in the upcoming film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical.

A Surprise Reunion on Stage

The sold-out crowd at The O2 Arena was treated to an unexpected performance when Grande, 33, brought out Erivo, 39, to join her on stage. The duo first performed “For Good,” an iconic anthem from Wicked, a song that holds personal significance for both actresses, as they both have the title tattooed on their palms. The emotional rendition resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom captured the moment on their phones.

Following their performance of “For Good,” Grande and Erivo shifted gears, recreating the legendary 1963 medley performed by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. The pair sat on stage to deliver their rendition of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again,” showcasing their vocal prowess and undeniable chemistry. The performance was shared widely across social media by concertgoers, Grande’s hairstylist Alyx Liu, and Erivo’s close friend Capri Hakeem.

A Nod to Their Shared History

This London concert performance served as a significant public reunion for Grande and Erivo since their collaboration on the NBC special Wicked: One Wonderful Night, which aired in November. The two artists spent considerable time together between 2022 and 2025 filming Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated two-part film adaptation of the 2003 musical. The original Broadway production was a massive success, grossing $1.3 billion at the box office, and the film adaptation is expected to be a major cinematic event.

Grande, who boasts a massive following of 363 million on Instagram, shared a clip of the performance on her Instagram story, tagging Erivo and adding heart and infinity emojis. She expressed her gratitude and emotion, writing, “London, night two. I love you so and thank you. Grateful and emotional.”

Artistic Style and Future Endeavors

Both performers showcased their distinct styles during the concert. Erivo, who is on the cusp of achieving EGOT status with an Oscar nomination already under her belt, wore an eye-catching ensemble featuring an embellished Erdem bra and panties layered over a white blouse, paired with black kinky boots and a white trench coat, curated by stylist Jason Bolden. Grande opted for a more whimsical look, a cap-sleeved baby-doll dress with a voluminous skirt, styled by “image architect” Law Roach.

The performance comes as Grande is preparing to conclude her “Eternal Sunshine” tour. After a sold-out 41-date run, including a 10-night engagement at London’s O2, her team announced she would be stepping back from public visibility. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” her representatives stated in early August.

Grande’s recent musical success includes her eighth studio album, Petal, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Two singles from the album, “Petal” and “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” have also secured spots in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Erivo’s Diverse Career Path

Cynthia Erivo continues to build an impressive career across music, film, and theater. Beyond her role as Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked films, she is slated to appear in several other projects. She recently filmed her role as Olivia Jones, the strong-willed fiancée and former FBI hostage negotiator to Harry Focker (Skyler Gisondo), in the comedy Focker-in-Law, set for release in late November. The film also features a star-studded cast including Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, and Owen Wilson.

Erivo is also set to star in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s fantasy adventure Children of Blood and Bone and Takashi Doscher’s action thriller Karoshi, both scheduled for release in January. Additionally, she produced and starred as barrister Tessa Ensler in the legal drama Prima Facie, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The stage production, based on Suzie Miller’s 2019 one-woman show about sexual assault, also features Harry Treadaway and Daniel Ings.

Looking ahead, Erivo is scheduled to perform with the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, this Friday. Her multifaceted career highlights her versatility and continued prominence in the entertainment industry.

Conclusion

The joint performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in London served as a powerful preview of their collaboration in the upcoming Wicked film. Their shared stage presence, vocal harmonies, and evident camaraderie not only thrilled the concert audience but also underscored the anticipation surrounding their cinematic portrayal of Glinda and Elphaba. As both artists navigate significant career milestones, this reunion offered a memorable moment celebrating their artistic bond and shared passion for musical theater.