Key Points
- Reunion Surprise: Actor Cynthia Erivo surprised her fellow cast member Ariana Grande on stage during the concert on August 16 in the O2 Arena of London.
- Performance Setlist: Grande and Erivo sang the song titled “For Good” from the movie Wicked: For Good. After that, they sang a medley of songs “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again”.
- Tour in Progress: The appearance happened on the second day of Ariana’s 10-day residency in the O2 Arena, which is the end of her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
- Break from the Scene: Previously, Ariana Grande said that after the end of her tour on September 1 she would step away from the spotlight because of the need to take a rest from the constant public attention.
- Professional Changes: In connection with this, Grande will not be able to participate in the West End production of Sunday in the Park With George.
London (The Londoner News) August 17, 2026 – Fans at London’s O2 Arena were treated to a surprise Wicked reunion on Sunday evening as Cynthia Erivo joined Ariana Grande on stage during the latest stop of the Eternal Sunshine Tour. The emotional performance, which saw the two co-stars reunite to sing “For Good,” marked a poignant highlight during Grande’s extended residency in the UK capital. The appearance comes as Grande continues her final run of shows before beginning a previously announced break from public life.
How did the surprise performance unfold at the O2 Arena?
The collaboration took place during the encore of Grande’s August 16 show at the O2 Arena. As reported by Mark Elibert of Complex, the audience was surprised when Grande welcomed Erivo to the stage for a live rendition of the iconic ballad “For Good,” a titular track from the film Wicked: For Good in which the two star as Glinda and Elphaba.
Following the ballad, the pair continued their set by performing a medley of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” According to Variety, as cited by ANI, these songs have become deeply associated with the duo’s Wicked journey, paying homage to a famous television performance by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand in the 1960s. The two stars previously showcased this medley during a Wicked television special in November 2025, but the London show marked their first shared performance since that time.
TMZ reported that while Erivo had previously indicated her intention to attend one of Grande’s London concerts, the live collaboration appeared to be a special treat for the audience, who witnessed the pair embracing as the crowd cheered.
What is the status of Ariana Grande’s ‘Eternal Sunshine Tour’?
Ariana Grande is currently in the midst of a 10-show residency at London’s O2 Arena, which represents the final leg of her Eternal Sunshine Tour. The tour, named after her seventh studio album, has been an extensive international trek that began earlier this year.
As noted by Basingstoke Gazette, the production of the show itself has been highly praised for its cinematic quality, featuring elaborate staging that includes a rundown house and lighting rigs transformed into police helicopters. The setlist draws heavily from her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine and her latest release, Petal, alongside classic hits such as “Into You,” “Thank U, Next,” and “7 Rings,” as well as a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Rain On Me”.
The residency at the O2 Arena is scheduled to conclude on September 1, marking the definitive end of the tour.
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Why is Ariana Grande taking a step back from public life?
The surprise performance occurs against the backdrop of Grande’s decision to distance herself from the spotlight once her current commitments are fulfilled. In a statement provided to People earlier this month, a representative for the artist confirmed that Grande intends to take a “step back from visibility” after the Eternal Sunshine Tour concludes.
“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” the representative stated.
Grande herself addressed the decision during a concert in Chicago, clarifying to her fans that the move was not an impulsive reaction to criticism. As reported by Rolling Stone, Grande explained, “It was something that I have decided. A plan that I had quietly made a long time ago. It was a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place”.
What does this mean for her upcoming projects?
The planned hiatus has resulted in adjustments to Grande’s professional schedule. Specifically, it has been confirmed that she will no longer be appearing in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George. The production was set to feature Grande alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.
Furthermore, while there had been speculation regarding her involvement in other high-profile projects, such as American Horror Story, reports indicate that her absence from such roles was primarily due to scheduling conflicts rather than the upcoming hiatus.
Despite the upcoming break, Grande continues to receive acclaim for her current work. Both she and Erivo received Oscar nominations for their performances in the first Wicked film and have since reprised their respective roles as Galinda Upland and Elphaba Thropp in the sequel, Wicked: For Good. Fans remain supportive of the singer, with many taking to social media to express their appreciation for the unexpected reunion at the O2 Arena, an event that Grande herself acknowledged by sharing a clip of the performance to her Instagram Stories.
