'Wicked' Star Ariana Grande Charms Palm Springs Gala with Self-Deprecating Acceptance Speech

At Friday’s Palm Springs International Film Awards, pop star Ariana Grande showed off her comedy skills. For her role as Glinda in the much-anticipated film version of “Wicked,” she won the “Rising Star” Award.

Grande, who is 31 years old, made fun of being called a “rising star” at this point in her career. During her acceptance speech at the Palm Springs Convention Center, she joked, “I’ve been performing since I was a child, so I never thought at age 31 I’d be hearing the words ‘Rising Star’ again.” She said, “I want to thank my good friends Botox and Juvederm.” I thought I would hear “Slightly Withering Star” or “Drooping Star” by now.”

The night had extra charm when Emmy Award winner Jennifer Coolidge appeared out of the blue. The award was given to Grande by Coolidge, who is well-known for her role in “The White Lotus,” her tone was lighthearted. “I don’t want to argue with the Palm Springs power gays or their little 19-year-old handsome dates,” she said. But I thought, just rising star?” Doesn’t Ariana Grande already have a name?”

Grande took a moment to think about her role as Glinda and her return to comedy, even though the mood was happy. “Though Glinda the Good is full of frivolous humor and witty punchlines, comedy is just another way of telling the truth,” she added. “Even when there is pain, she can bring light into the dark.” I’m thankful to have lived there and learned so much from her in the last three years.

Grande also talked about a less well-known part of her early work. She said she “started in stand-up comedy” when she was four and put on shows in her living room for $5. With her current role in “Wicked,” which she called “the beginning of a new chapter,” this early experience in comedy has come full circle.

Several other important people were recognized that night at the Palm Springs International Film Awards gala, the first Palm Springs International Film Festival event. The winners were Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Kieran Culkin, Colman Domingo, Angelina Jolie, and Nicole Kidman. They were all praised for their work in movies over the past year.

Grande was very thankful that Coolidge was at the event. She said, “Thank you, Jennifer, for doing this for me, for showing up, for coming all this way.” Your sense of humor has always been an inspiration to me. I just really love you.”

Grande’s journey from singing star to movie actress has reached a major turning point with this award. The movie Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, will star her along with Cynthia Erivo. Grande’s performance is already getting attention from the film business despite the musical adaptation taking three years to complete.