Ariana Grande Says One ‘Wicked’-Themed Item Was ‘A Little Disturbing’ as Merch Frenzy Grows

Ariana Grande says there’s one specific item among the month’s flood of Wicked-themed merchandise that gave her pause, calling it “a little disturbing” while discussing fan gifts and the film’s merchandising push.

The pop star appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Thursday to chat about Christmas plans and to weigh in on the growing wave of Wicked-related tie-ins as the first film and its continuing stage musical franchise gain momentum. Meyers teased the scale of fan gifts likely to appear under Christmas trees this year, prompting Grande to share candid thoughts about a piece of merch that stood out to her.

“First of all, my mom has everything,” Grande said, noting that her mother has embraced the merchandising surge to a degree that left Grande partly amused and partly concerned. “She went a little too hard. And I was like, ‘Mom, it’s OK, Universal, they’re gonna send it, it’s OK!’ And then she’d be like, ‘No, no, no, no, I need, like, 30!’” She referenced one item in particular—“the pink and green—was it mac and cheese that they did?”—to illustrate how the scale of the tie-ins signaled a broader cultural moment for Wicked. “That was when I knew, ‘Oh, this is big. It’s a little bigger than I thought.’”

Grande’s remarks came as merchandising for Wicked continues to expand beyond the big-screen release and the stage production, including collectibles, clothing, and novelty foods. A Walmart-branded mac-and-cheese item that sparked chatter around the film’s merchandising last year became a touchstone in Grande’s discussion of how far fans and retailers have gone to keep Wicked at the forefront of pop culture discourse. A review from Sporked around that same period pointed to the basic, store-brand nature of the product, underscoring the tongue-in-cheek nature of the tie-ins.

Beyond the merch talk, Grande reflected on the process of bringing Wicked to life on screen and on stage, describing the experience as “so, so, so, so creatively fulfilling.” She singled out director Jon M. Chu, calling him “the perfect leader” who is at once meticulous and specific about his vision while also fostering a creative and welcoming environment for improvisation and play.

The interview arrived as Grande prepares to reunite with Wicked co-star Bowen Yang when she hosts Saturday Night Live this weekend, in what is reportedly Yang’s last episode on the late-night program. At the time of her Meyers appearance, Grande had just wrapped a run of SNL promo shoots with Yang and the night’s musical guest, Cher. The two-hour show is highly anticipated for its pairing of Grande with Cher, whom Grande described as “the one and only” and “spectacular” in terms of presence and talent, though Grande remained tight-lipped about whether the two will share a moment on air during the broadcast.

Grande has long charted collaborations with pop icons and fellow heavyweights, including past work with Mariah Carey and Madonna. She spoke warmly of meeting Cher for the first time, emphasizing the thrill of the moment and the anticipation surrounding the SNL episode as fans look for potential musical or comedy collaborations during the program.

“Meeting Cher for the first time was the most exciting thing,” Grande said, underscoring the emotional resonance of sharing a moment with a legend of pop culture. “It was so spectacular, and she’s just brilliant. I’m so excited.”

As Wicked’s cultural footprint continues to expand, Grande’s involvement with the film and its broader universe—along with her high-profile SNL hosting gig and the potential for unexpected crossovers—adds another layer to the entertainment cycle surrounding the franchise. The combination of star power, nostalgic resonance, and cross-media promotion demonstrates how a modern musical property can sustain interest across film, television, live performance, and consumer products. Grande’s reflections on the experience—paired with her praise for Chu’s leadership and her personal excitement about Cher’s presence on SNL—paint a portrait of a franchise moving beyond the screen and stage into a broader pop-culture moment.