Ariana Grande's on-set experiences during the filming of Wicked have left an indelible mark. In a captivating behind-the-scenes video shared on Instagram, viewers got a glimpse into the actress's raw emotions as she bid farewell to her character Glinda's magic bubble.

Unveiling Ariana Grande's Tearful Goodbye on the Wicked Set

Emotional Reactions on the Final Day

In the video, Ariana Grande, 31, is seated in her poofy pink gown within the bubble prop. When asked by director Jon M. Chu, 45, about how she's feeling, she responds with a heartbreaking "Horrible. Terrible." She further proclaims, "I'm not getting up. I need to call my therapist, I really do. This is a mess." It's clear that the attachment she felt to this set piece was incredibly strong.The "very emotional" Grande's words and actions show the depth of her connection to the Wicked set. This moment serves as a reminder of the hard work and emotions poured into the production.

The Significance of the Magic Bubble

Adapted from the hit Broadway musical, Wicked: Part One stars Grande as Glinda the Good Witch opposite Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Grande's Glinda kicks off the movie by entering Munchkinland within a floating bubble, much like the character does in 1939's The Wizard of Oz.For Glinda, this bubble was more than just a set piece; it was a "home away from home" and a "safe place for all of her little secrets and truths." Grande described the attachment she felt to it in a caption, saying it was comically overwhelming. Her miss for the movie's "physical pieces," including the character's wand, is palpable.

Press Tour and Other Emotional Moments

During a press tour often filled with tears, Grande told the hosts of Broadway Podcast Network's Sentimental Men podcast in November, "Me, everyone, we all cried every day… It was really beautiful." This shows that the emotional impact of the project extended beyond the set.Even when presented with the original magic wand wielded by Billie Burke in The Wizard of Oz on The Drew Barrymore Show on Dec. 5, Grande shed a tear. It's evident that these moments have had a profound effect on her.Wicked: Part One is currently in theaters, with Part Two slated for Nov. 26, 2025. The movies also star Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, and Michelle Yeoh. Go behind the scenes of Wicked with PEOPLE's new special issue, available here.