Ariana Grande is reaching out to Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira, after the iconic Mistress of the Dark shared a story about an uncomfortable past encounter with the pop star. This interaction has sparked interest among fans, especially as Grande prepares for her role in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked.
In a recent Instagram post, Peterson recounted a visit Grande made to one of her shows about seven years ago. Peterson claimed that Grande, accompanied by 20 guests, asked for 21 tickets. After receiving the tickets, she allegedly requested that Peterson take photos with each of her friends and family. However, when Peterson asked for a photo together, Grande reportedly declined, stating, “No, I don’t really do that.” Peterson also noted that Grande left before her show began, while her entourage remained.
Grande responded to Peterson’s remarks with an emotional message on Instagram. She expressed her sadness upon seeing Peterson’s post, stating, “I actually don’t even remember getting the chance to meet you because I had an anxiety attack and, to my memory, left before the rest of my family.” Grande added that at that time, she was struggling with her anxiety in public settings, making the encounter particularly challenging for her.
The pop singer extended an olive branch by apologizing for any offense she may have caused, saying, “If I’m misremembering this moment, I sincerely apologize for offending you so.” Grande also expressed her gratitude towards Peterson for being kind to her mother, saying, “Thank you for being so nice to my mom. She told me how lovely you were.” Grande humorously added, “She might have different feelings about that now, but I’ll talk to her… clearly, we all have our days!”
Grande concluded her message with a nod to Peterson’s iconic status, declaring, “You’ll always be our queen of Halloween!”
The discrepancy between Grande’s and Peterson’s memories of the encounter highlights the complexity of personal interactions, particularly for celebrities navigating the pressures of fame. Grande’s acknowledgment of her anxiety at the time provides insight into her state of mind during the encounter, contrasting sharply with Peterson’s recollection of an impolite exchange.
Representatives for both stars did not respond to requests for comment from Entertainment Weekly. This incident marks another moment in Grande’s recent public interactions. Just days earlier, her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo criticized a fan edit of the film’s poster, which altered the depiction of her character’s hat. Erivo described the edit as “the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen,” comparing it to a problematic AI-generated image of the cast.
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When asked about Erivo’s comments, Grande took a diplomatic approach, stating, “I think it’s very complicated because I find AI so conflicting and troublesome sometimes, but I think it’s just kind of such a massive adjustment period.” She acknowledged that fans enjoy creating their edits, emphasizing the larger cultural conversation surrounding these issues.
As the release date for Wicked approaches—scheduled for November 22—Grande and Erivo will be focused on promoting the film. The adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, promises to bring a fresh interpretation of the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen, showcasing the themes of misunderstanding and complex relationships.
