Ariana Grande Opens Up About Sweet Celeb Encounter to ‘DWTS’ Star Julianne Hough on Live TV

“Wicked” star and pop princess Ariana Grande spoke to Julianne Hough on the red carpet ahead of the 2025 Academy Awards show.

Grande told the former “DWTS” pro turned host that as a child, she got to meet the original Broadway cast of the “Wicked”, for whom she had lots of praise.

“Kristin was so kind,” said Grande, referring to Kristin Chenoweth who played Glinda, the Good Witch of the East, from the show’s opening on October 30, 2003 before leaving nine months later to take the role of Annabeth Schott on political drama “The West Wing.”

“She gave me a little wand, and some magical body wash with sparkles,” Grande continued as she described the prophetic encounter.

“Well it clearly worked,” said Hough.

Hough then asked Grande about her dress.

“This is Schiaparelli by Daniel Roseberry,” said the “Sam & Cat” actress.

“I’m so honored to be wearing it. It’s my favorite dress in the world, and I’m so honored that I got to spend this moment wearing this,” she added, swaying slightly in the whimsical gown.

The dress had a strapless light pink satin bodice with exaggerated hips and a skirt of glittering pleated tulle.

Hough exclaimed that the dress was “so stunning.”

Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Opened the Oscars Together

Ariana Grande was the first performer to appear onscreen at the 2025 Oscars, opening the show with a dazzling rendition of “Over the Rainbow.”

For the performance, she changed to a shimmering red gown that brough to mind the magical ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.”

Grande was then joined onstage by Erivo for a soaring version of “Defying Gravity.”

Zoe Saldana Beat Ariana Grande for Best Supporting Actress

Grande, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, was beaten out by Zoe Saldana.

46-year-old Saldana was nominated for her performance as Rita Moro Castro in “Emilia Pérez.”

Tearfully accepting the trophy, Saldana said, “I am floored by this honor. Thank you for recognizing the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita.”

“To my fellow nominees, the love and community you have offered me is a true gift and I will pay it forward,” she promised.

Addressing her husband, Marco Perego-Saldaña, the actress said, “To my husband, with that beautiful hair. The biggest honor of my life is being your partner.”

Saldana then spoke touchingly about her heritage. The “Star Trek” star said, “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams, and dignity, and hardworking hands. I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award.”

She also celebrated that the fact she was accepting an award where she “got to sing and speak in Spanish” would have delighted her late grandmother.