Ariana Grande reveals COVID diagnosis amid renewed health concerns during Wicked promotions

Ariana Grande tested positive for COVID while promoting Wicked: For Good amid intensifying public concerns

Pop star and actress Ariana Grande has revealed she has tested positive for COVID-19 while promoting her new film Wicked: For Good, according to a social media update shared on 20 November 2025. The announcement comes as fans continue to voice worries about her noticeably slimmer appearance and overall well-being.

Grande posted a black-and-white image from her 18 November appearance on The Tonight Show, captioning it “moments before Covid.” Her diagnosis follows a difficult press cycle for the film, after co-star Cynthia Erivo recently fell ill with voice issues. With Grande now sidelined, she is expected to miss upcoming promotional events for the highly anticipated sequel, released on 21 November 2025.

The setback marks the second time both Grande and Erivo have contracted COVID, having previously fallen ill separately in 2024 while filming the first Wicked movie. The continued disruptions could affect the film’s marketing momentum, according to coverage from entertainment outlets.

Grande’s diagnosis has intensified public attention on her health, particularly ongoing discussion surrounding her recent weight loss throughout the Wicked promotional period. Fans have expressed concern that another COVID infection may further weaken her, heightening anxieties about her physical condition.

Her appearance has been the subject of heavy online scrutiny in recent months, especially after she appeared notably slimmer at the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards. Earlier reports, including from Page Six, cited sources claiming her demanding work schedule had taken a toll both physically and mentally. Fans have also connected her transformation to her long-publicized struggles with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Grande has previously responded to speculation about her body. In a 2023 TikTok message, she explained that a fuller figure many fans once praised was actually during the “unhealthiest” period of her life, referencing poor nutrition and antidepressant use. She urged the public to avoid commenting on others’ bodies and emphasized that “healthy can look different” for everyone.

Online reactions to her latest health update remain concerned. Comments on Reddit and Instagram described her as appearing frail or exhausted, while others encouraged empathy, noting that people often battle unseen struggles. Grande has been open about relying on therapy and music to manage her mental health, particularly after the 2017 Manchester Arena attack and the death of former partner Mac Miller.